From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo
Almost two months after a bizarre incident in Oyo, Oyo State, residents of the ancient town are still puzzled over the inability of security agents to unravel circumstances surrounding the dismemberment of a 60-year-old man by his cousin.
The scene was like a horror movie at Oke-Apo
community in Oyo East Local Government when
early this year, the community was thrown into mournful mood as a young man, said to be a cousin, butchered his uncle.
The tragic incident occurred at Ola compound at midnight.
The cousin, now at large, was said to be living with his aged uncle and wife.
On the fateful day, sources hinted that after dinner, the
unsuspecting uncle had discussion with his cousin before
both of them left for their respective rooms to sleep.
By midnight, the uncle was found in a pool of his blood inside his room.
His head, an arm and intestine were removed.
The deceased’s cousin could not be found in his room while the door of the house, which was under lock and key, was found opened as at the time the dastardly crime was committed.
Men of the Durbar Divisional Police Command were said to have been informed, after which remains of dismembered parts of the deceased were deposited at the State Hospital, located in the town.
Incredibly, the deceased head was found the next day besides a river in a neighbouring community known as Awe.
The development threw the serene community into pandemonium, as residents gathered with disbelief to catch a glimpse at the head.
Policemen were invited by the community leaders.
On arrival, the policemen sent for the eldest son of the deceased to ascertain whether or not the human head was his father’s.
Amid tears, the eldest son confirmed the head to be that of his father.
It was later taken away by the Police to the mortuary.
Scores of residents, including community chiefs and head of the family, Chief Cornelius Abiola Taiwo, were reported to have been invited for interrogations, as some were also said to have been detained on the matter.
A police source said: “The person arrested and who was believed to have masterminded the ritual murder was found to be mentally deranged. We are living no stone unturned in our investigation. We do not want to prosecute the innocents, hence our being cautious and painstaking in our
investigation. We have not dumped the case at all”.
Meanwhile, residents have expressed dismay over what they referred to as the “slow pace’’ of police action in arresting and prosecuting perpetrators of the dastardly act.
Alhaja Bisi Oluoba, Engineer Wale Jayesinmi and Mr. Timothy Toluwalase accused the police of complicity in other criminal activities being perpetrated in and around the metropolis.
One of them said: “What did the police do about the hoodlum who beat a middle aged man to death with charm at Oke-Afin? What of those hoodlums armed with dangerous weapons and who forcefully collected royalties from defenceless traders in the evening at notable areas
like Owode and Iseke? Crimes and criminal activities are on the increase here in our metropolis. Honestly, we are at the mercy of hoodlums. Something urgent and drastic too must be done by the police and other security agencies to check these heinous activities.
