CHIEFTAIN ARRESTED FOR FORCING MAIZE THEFT SUSPECT TO DRINK POISON IN OSUN

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a chieftaincy title holder, identified as Chief Ajibade, for allegedly forcing a 25-year-old man, Ebenezer, to drink a poisonous substance after he was caught stealing maize from the chief’s farm.

The incident, which occurred in the Ireti Ayo area of Ilesa, sparked outrage after a video surfaced showing a man seated on the ground with two cobs of corn beside him, while an elderly man later identified as Ajibade held a cup and a cutlass, and forcefully made him drink the unknown substance.

According to eyewitnesses, the suspect was accused of stealing two pieces of corn from Ajibade’s farm. “After he was forced to drink the substance, the chief let him go,” said a resident who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal. “We quickly rushed the boy to Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, where doctors managed to neutralize the poison.”

Tragically, while the victim survived the ordeal, misinformation led to another fatality. “Someone informed the victim’s father that his son had died from poisoning. The father, overwhelmed by the shock, collapsed and died,” the resident added.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer for the state command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the suspect, a 62-year-old chief from Ipetu Ijesa, was arrested and transferred to Osogbo for further investigation.

“The suspect beat the boy and forced him to drink a substance. The boy survived after receiving medical attention. Unfortunately, the boy’s father died from the shock of the false news that his son had passed,” Ojelabi stated.

He assured that the matter is under thorough investigation and called for calm from members of the public.