MOWE: A 38-year-old man identified as Mike Oje has reportedly died after he was allegedly beaten by neighbours in the Mowe area of Ogun State following a disagreement over his interaction with a three-year-old child.
According to reports, the incident occurred after Oje was said to have been hugging and playing with the child when the boy’s father allegedly became upset and accused him of engaging in rough play.
The disagreement reportedly escalated after some neighbours allegedly intervened and began attacking Oje.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident, according to its spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Friday.
Babaseyi said that following the confrontation involving the child’s father, some neighbours reportedly picked up a bamboo stick and used it to beat Oje.
The police spokesperson said Oje allegedly collapsed during the attack after sustaining severe injuries.
He was subsequently reported to have died from injuries sustained during the beating.
According to the police account, the individual identified as the child’s father reportedly left the area with his family after realising the seriousness of the incident.
The suspect was said to have gone into hiding at an undisclosed location.
Police authorities are expected to continue efforts to locate the suspect and establish the circumstances surrounding the death.
The incident has raised concerns over the escalation of a disagreement involving a child into a fatal confrontation.
The circumstances surrounding Oje’s death remain subject to police investigation, and allegations against any suspect would need to be established through due legal process.
