When contacted for comment, the spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident to newsmen. “Yes, it happened, and the police are investigating,” she said briefly.
Abeokuta, Nigeria – tragic domestic dispute turned fatal in the Elega area of Abeokuta, Ogun State, after a man identified as Olamide mistakenly killed his one-year-old son while attempting to hit his wife during an argument.
The unfortunate incident occurred on Saturday night, sparking shock and outrage among residents of the community. According to eyewitnesses, Olamide, who had allegedly been in the habit of physically assaulting his wife, had picked up an iron rod—part of a weightlifting set he often used—and swung it at her during a heated quarrel. However, the rod struck their infant son, Ayinde, on the head, leading to fatal injuries.
Mrs. Bolatito, a co-tenant of the couple, told journalists that the distressed mother had knocked on her door around midnight, crying out for help. “She was shouting that her husband had killed her baby. I quickly stepped out and saw her with the child. I immediately tried to get a vehicle to rush the boy to the nearest hospital, Trinity,” she recounted.
Upon arrival at the hospital, medical staff confirmed that the child had died. However, the devastated mother, believing her son was still alive after he made slight movements, made a second trip to the hospital—only to be told again that the baby had indeed passed away.
According to Bolatito, the fatal blow wasn’t the first sign of domestic abuse in the household. She revealed that the wife had previously suffered a miscarriage as a result of beatings from Olamide. “He always beat his wife. She lost her last pregnancy because of it,” she added.
The chairman of the community, Mr. Ramoni Adegbola, also confirmed the incident, stating that he had been alerted by concerned neighbours. “I was called when the fight broke out. When I got there, I saw the couple and the child, who was already looking weak. They rushed him to the hospital, but he was returned dead,” Adegbola said.
He further disclosed that Olamide had a history of drug abuse, which might have contributed to his violent behavior. “There was a day he overdosed and passed out. We had to rally around to revive him. His frequent fights with his wife, I believe, are drug-related,” he said.
Following the incident, Olamide reportedly fled the area. However, the community chairman later confirmed that he had turned himself in at a nearby police station.
When contacted for comment, the spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident to newsmen. “Yes, it happened, and the police are investigating,” she said briefly.
The police have since launched a full investigation into the incident as the community mourns the tragic and avoidable death of the innocent child.
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