Chief Arrested For Forcing Man To Drink Poison For Allegedly Stealing Two Ears Of Corn

The Osun State Police Command has verified the apprehension of a chieftaincy title holder, Chief Ajibade Gbenga, known as the Ejimo of Ipetu-Ijesa, for allegedly compelling a young man to ingest a toxic substance due to suspected theft.

LIB reported that the event took place in the Ireti Ayo area of Ilesa approximately one week ago after a 25-year-old named Ebenezer allegedly took two ears of corn from Ajibade’s farm. Read here.

The command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Thursday, August 7, noting that an investigation into the incident has begun.

Ojelabi further revealed that the victim’s father passed away from shock after being informed by some individuals that his son had succumbed to poisoning following the theft accusation.

In a brief video shared by Osun journalist Isaac Haastrup, the chief was observed wielding a cutlass and subsequently forcing the young man to drink from a cup containing the toxic substance.

“After he was forced to drink the substance, Chief Ajibade left him to go. We quickly rushed the boy to Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa where doctors eventually neutralise the effect of the poison,” a source informed The Punch.

“But when all that was going on, someone went to the house of the father of the victim and told him that his son had been poisoned for stealing corn and died. The man was seized by shock.

“He eventually d!ed. But the boy that drank poison is alive and stable. Police have arrested the suspect in his hometown in Ipetu Ijesa and moved him to Osogbo for further investigations.”

Providing additional details about the incident, the PPRO, during a conversation with the publication, identified the suspect as Chief Ajibade, aged 62 years.

“The boy allegedly stole two pieces of corn from the man’s farm. The man caught the suspect, beat him up and mixed a substance and forced the boy to drink it,” he stated.

“The boy drank it, but with the help of the good people around, they rushed the boy to a hospital. He was rushed to Wesley Guild Hospital.

“Doctors at the hospital sustained him and he did not d!e. The doctors stabilised him. But the news of the incident reached the father of the boy that was caught stealing.

“Some people went to the father and told him that his son had d!ed of poisoning after being caught stealing corn. The father immediately gave up the ghost.

“The boy is alive. But his father d!ed of shock. The matter has been reported and we have the suspect here with us. Investigation will continue into the matter,” Ojelabi said.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli