Ogun State Police PRO, Omolola Odutola
By Uthman Salami
A man named Okekenu Gbadebo allegedly punched a 37-year-old relative, Adebayo Gbenro, to death in the Ijemo-Agbadu area, Abeokuta, Ogun State on Saturday.
The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. when an argument was said to have broken out between the deceased and Gbadebo while making arrangements for their late father’s burial ceremony at their family house in Ìjemò-Agbadu.
A police source who was privy to the matter when it was reported at the Oke-Itoku Divisional Police Headquarters but spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the case, stated that Gbadebo was said to have punched the deceased in the chest following the heated argument.
Also, the victim’s sister, identified as Bose Ajani, was said to have told the police, according to a police document sighted by PUNCH Online on Monday, that the deceased collapsed shortly after he was punched in the chest.
The incident was said to have thrown the family members who had gathered for the burial party which was slated for the next day, into a state of pandemonium and chaos.
“The family members gathered to prepare for the final burial of their late father, scheduled to take place on Sunday. But while the arrangements were ongoing, there was an argument between Gbadebo and Gbenro.
“Nobody thought it could degenerate into a fight. It was unexpected when Gbadebo suddenly hit Gbenro in the chest. Gbenro immediately slumped as a result of the punch and was rushed down to a hospital, where he was declared dead by a doctor on duty,” the cop stated.
While confirming the incident to our correspondent via a WhatsApp message on Monday, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, said Gbadebo was arrested shortly after the matter was reported at a police station.
She said, “The victim and suspect are relatives. They went for a burial ceremony at their family house in Abeokuta. It was during the arrangements for the burial that an argument ensued between the duo. Gbadebo reportedly hit the deceased in the chest, who collapsed immediately after.
He was rushed to Ijaye General Hospital where he was subsequently confirmed dead. The corpse has been deposited at the hospital mortuary for postmortem examination. In the meantime, we have arrested the suspect, and the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough investigation.”
