2 weeks ago
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Unknown assailants have killed a cocoa farmer identified simply as Bale on his farm at Ilusi Village in Osun State.
His son, Saidi, who reportedly accompanied him to the farm, it was learnt, was being held by the police in connection to the crime.
Bale was said to have been decapitated on his farm on the day he was to commence harvesting his produce.
Sources in the village said remains of the deceased were discovered on his farm on Friday, though he went missing some hours before the corpse was found.
A resident of the village, simply identified as Sakariyau, who spoke to PUNCH Metro on Sunday, said Bale went missing last Thursday and after an intense search around the village, his corpse covered with leaves was found on his farm the following day.
He further said, “Before he (Bale) was traced to his farm on Friday, he could not be found anywhere around the village since he left for the farm.
“When we got to his farm, we searched everywhere and found his remains covered with leaves. His head was cut off by unknown people.
“Thereafter, people around, who suspected Bale’s son, who accompanied the deceased to the farm on the day he was killed, descended on him.
“He was seriously beaten because people knew he went with his father to the farm to harvest cocoa. He initially denied killing the man, but he later admitted committing the crime after he was seriously tortured by some angry youth in the village.
“The cocoa produce already harvested and the motorcycle of the deceased were found on the farm. The boy was later handed over to police and he was taken to Iperindo Station for further investigations.”
When contacted for confirmation, Osun Police Command spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, said she has been briefed.
Opalola said, “The suspect was arrested on the suspicion that he killed the father. I have been briefed about it. Investigation is ongoing.”
