The Osun State Police Command on Thursday interrogated a chieftaincy title holder, identified as Ajibade, for allegedly forcing a suspect caught stealing maize on his farm to drink a poisonous substance, Nigerian Tribune reports.
The incident, which was said to have occurred at Ireti Ayo Area of Ilesa, according to eyewitness accounts, involved the suspect being forced to drink the substance by an elderly man and a group of persons armed with cutlasses, sticks, and other dangerous weapons, threatening to harm him if he refused to drink it.
However, the police command spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, affirmed that the police would get to the root of the matter, assuring that the truth would be made known to the public after police investigations.
According to him, “the victim that was caught stealing corn bears Ebenezer, aged 25 years.”
“The boy allegedly stole two pieces of corn from the man’s farm. The man caught the suspect, beat him up and mix a substance and forced the boy to drink it.”
“The boy drank it, but with the help of the good people around, they rushed the boy to a hospital. He was rushed to Wesley Guild Hospital in Ilesa.”
“Doctors at the hospital sustained him and he did not die. The doctors stabilised him. But the news of the incident reached the father of the boy that was caught stealing.”
“Some people went to the father and told him that his son had died of poisoning after being caught stealing corn. The father immediately gave up the ghost.”
“The boy is alive. But his father died of shock. The matter has been reported and we have the suspect here with us. Investigation will continue into the matter,” he concluded
