Farmer beats suspected thief to death in Ondo

A farmer, identified as Adegoke, has reportedly beaten a suspected thief to death in Odigbo Council Area of Ondo State, just as other suspected thieves, alleged to have invaded his farm, located at Mile 10, in Ore, were not spared by the farmer.

They were reportedly injured and presently on admission to an undisclosed hospital.

The Farmer, according to a police source, alleged that the suspected thieves had been stealing produce from his farm including his motorcycle.

Reports have it that the suspects hail from neighbouring Aba Tuntun community.

Speaking with newsmen, a source in the community said “Some suspected thieves had been stealing the farm produce of one Adegoke, popularly called Ariya. But he had kept quiet for long.

“However, nemesis caught up with the thieves as Adegoke was able to get hold of two persons out of four found in his farm.

“Before now, his Cocoa pods, Kola nuts, and plantains had been missing from his farm often and often, including his motorcycle. But he found two persons culpable of the offence.

“Adegoke beat them to a stupor, and in the process, one died. And that has led to intra-communal tension in the area.”

Adegoke was subsequently arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Akure for investigation.

Contacted, the state Police spokesman, Funmi Odunlami, said the complainant claimed “the suspected thieves were around Adegoke’s farm to pick snails and not to steal.

Odunlami said that it was the farmer’s wife who reported to him that thieves had again invaded his farm.

She added that the farmer rushed to the scene and attacked the suspects.

The image maker said that police detectives were still investigating the incident.