The Ogun State Police Command has arrested and put in protective custody one Kolawole Akinsanya for allegedly conspiring with hoodlums to beat his neighbour, Lukmon Ajibola, to death at Ilepa in the Ifo Local Government Area of the state.

Freelanews reports that the incident happened on Monday, February 5, around 8pm.

A resident of the community who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity said that a goat belonging to the deceased strayed into the compound of Akinsanya and ate his dried yam. This was said to have infuriated Akinsanya who allegedly killed the animal in the process.

In his reaction, Ajibola was said to have confronted Akinsanya over his action which our source said resulted in an argument whereby the latter allegedly invited some thugs who went to attack the former.

Our source said Ajibola became unconscious after the attack and later died in the hospital.

The resident who preferred anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the incident said, “Ajibola rears goat to support his motorcycle business. It was around 4pm when one of his goats went into Akinsanya’s compound and ate the dried yams he spread in the compound. When he came out and saw the goat eating it, he picked up the kid and beat it to death.

“Since they were both neighbours on the same street, Ajibola approached him and questioned his action. This led to an argument and Akinsanya called some hoodlums numbering about three who came and descended on him. While they were beating him, they also poured alcohol into his ears. Residents who rushed to the scene found him lying motionless and he was taken to Zion Hospital in Ilepa for treatment and later referred to the State Hospital Otta on the third day. Unfortunately, he passed away at the State Hospital.”

Our correspondent learnt that the family of the deceased was thrown into mourning as a result of the incident.

The suspect, Akinsanya, was also said to have been arrested by the police while three other accomplices were said to have fled the community.

A relative of the deceased who spoke to our correspondent while also craving anonymity, however, alleged that the police were trying to cover up the case.

The relative said, “The principal suspect is with the police. He has been taken to the Ogun State Police Command at Eleweran, Abeokuta. His accomplices who are known as Chicago, Agbara and one ID are on the run.

Meanwhile, the colleagues of Akinsanya are presently mobilising funds to secure his release and make the police cover up the case. They are also trying to prevent the police from arresting the three others.

“Akinsanya had bragged that he would return the way someone who lived two streets away returned after killing another person in the same circumstance last year. Ajibola’s poor widow, Aminat and her children are left to suffer unjustly because they are poor and have no connection. We want justice for the slain man and his family.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, while confirming the incident, said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

She said, “The suspect, Kolawole Akinsanya, has been arrested and detained. Ongoing efforts are being made to apprehend other fleeing suspects.”