A tragic incident has rocked the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, where a 26-year-old man, identified as Daniel, allegedly beheaded his 15-year-old brother, Emmanuel, in a suspected ritual killing.
The suspect, both sons of a senior police officer serving in the area, was reportedly killed by enraged youths after the gruesome discovery, plunging the community into mourning and fear.
Sequence of Events
According to eyewitnesses, the horrific act occurred on Monday evening near the Origbara River, an isolated area within the agrarian community. A resident, Roland Akinkunmi, said Daniel had lured Emmanuel to the riverbank, where he carried out the murder. The act was exposed when a passerby saw Daniel trying to conceal the severed head in a black bag and raised the alarm.
“We are all in shock. How could someone do this to his own blood?” Akinkunmi said, adding that both brothers were children of a well-respected police officer in the area.
Following the discovery, irate youths descended on Daniel, beating him to death before security agents could intervene.
Police Response
The spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, Ayanlade Olayinka, confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, had ordered an immediate investigation. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a thorough and discreet investigation.
“The Ondo State Police Command assures the public that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring justice is served,” Olayinka stated.
Community Reaction
The double tragedy has left the entire community in deep sorrow and disbelief. Locals are struggling to understand what led to the act, with many pointing to a possible motive of money ritual, a claim yet to be confirmed by investigators.
