The Ondo State Police Command said on Monday that it had arrested a man identified as Ajayi Bayode for allegedly killing one herdsman, Abubakar Alidu.
It was gathered that Alidu was allegedly murdered by the suspect following a disagreement between them last Saturday on the suspect’s farm at Arigidi Akoko, in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State.
A source narrated that fight occured between some Fulani herdsmen and the suspects as their cows allegedly destroyed the plants on the suspect’s farm.
The source said, “A hot argument ensued between them on the farm. This led to a fight and the deceased and his colleagues attacked the farmer with machetes.
“To defend himself, he (suspect) brought out his gun and shot the herdsman.”
However , the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Femi Joseph said that Bayode, who is currently receiving treatment at the state hospital, Ikare Akoko, would be charged to court for murder.
He said investigation had revealed that the suspect allegedly killed the Fulani herdsman, adding that Bayode, too, had confessed to committing the offence.
He said, “He (suspect) told us that the deceased hit him with a stick, while he was complaining to the herdsmen that they had destroyed the crops on his farm.
“He also told us that he did not intend to kill the deceased; that he brought out the gun to scare the Fulani man and his friend, but the bullet mistakenly hit and killed the deceased.
“So, this is a pure case of murder. Even if the deceased had used a stick to beat him, it doesn’t mean that he, too, should kill him.”
Joseph also stated that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Gbenga Adeyanju, has ordered that the case be transferred to the Criminal Investigative Department of the command, adding that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as he leaves the hospital.
source : punch
