In a shocking and disturbing confession, a 34-year-old father of seven, Monday Elela, has revealed why he and his wife decided to murder their 14-year-old son, Tope.
The couple’s drastic action was motivated by their son’s alleged involvement in criminal activities, which they claimed brought shame and embarrassment to their family.
Tope’s troubles began when he was arrested by the State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, for housebreaking and stealing. However, he managed to escape from custody, only to return home to his parents. In a fit of rage and desperation, Monday Elela and his wife decided to take matters into their own hands, beating their son to death.
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“I didn’t know he would die,” a remorseful Elela said in an interview. “Tope was the only one of my seven children who was bringing shame to our family. He was involved in housebreaking, stealing, and other criminal activities. I was embarrassed by his actions, and I didn’t know what to do.”
The police were alerted to the incident after an anonymous tip-off, and Elela was arrested. His wife, however, remains at large.
The police commissioner, Wilfred Afolabi, condemned the couple’s actions, stating that they had taken the law into their own hands. “The suspect and his wife decided to murder their son because he was involved in criminal activities,” Afolabi said. “However, this is not an excuse for taking someone’s life.”
The incident has raised questions about the breakdown of law and order in the community and the desperate measures some parents are willing to take to discipline their children.
In a separate development, the police commissioner announced the arrest of 25 suspects in connection with the recent cult clashes in Owo town, which resulted in several deaths. The suspects, who belong to various cult groups, were arrested in different parts of the state.
The police commissioner vowed to continue the crackdown on cult activities and to bring those responsible for the violence to justice.