By Funmilayo Akinyemi
A farm laborer (name withheld) has reportedly killed his employer, simply identified as Adelugba, after being caught stealing kolanuts.
The incident occurred in Laoso Village, near Laje Camp, Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State, South-West Nigeria.
It was gathered that the 60-year-old victim who was described as a respected farmer with three farms in the area, employed the suspect to work on her farms.
According to sources in the community, the suspect was caught stealing kolanuts from his employer’s farm few days before the incident.
Perhaps out of fear of being banished in line with the village tradition for stealing, he reportedly pleaded for forgiveness and bargained to either pay for the stolen kolanuts or have the cost deducted from his wage, which was pleasing to his employer.
He, however, ambushed his employer on Saturday, while she was on her way to the farm, attacked and slaughtered her with a machete, after which he covered her lifeless body with leaves and palm fronds before fleeing the scene.
Perhaps out if remorse, the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime on Sunday, claiming that the deceased pressured him into admitting his theft.
He later led villagers to the scene, where her body was recovered and taken to the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) mortuary.
Meanwhile, the State Police Command has confirmed that the suspect who was detained at the Fagun Police Division, has been transferred to the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) in Akure for further investigation.
