Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

The Ekiti State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a physically challenged man and one other, in connection with the killing of a farmer, simply identified as Sikiru, on his farmland, in Agbado-Ekiti, Ayekire Local Council Development area of the state.

The incident which has thrown the area into mourning occurred at Ipole Farm Settlement, Agbado-Ekiti.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Mr Sunday Abutu, the two persons; a deaf and dumb man and a teenager are currently detained at the command headquarters, helping the police with investigation on the matter.

The police spokesperson said the deaf and dumb had allegedly stolen the farm produce of the victim, and the farmer to challenged him.

The farmer, simply identified as Sikiru, (aka Badoo), was said to have been killed by the deaf and dumb man, popularly known as Sunday Alabi, after which he was caught in the act by fellow farmers.

Local sources said the principal suspect, Alabi, had on the fateful day, gone to Sikiru’s farm to steal some farm produce and the deceased challenged him.

“Sikiru confronted Alabi and asked why he had been stealing his farm produce overtime. Instead of the suspect to explain, he became violent, and attacked him with deep machete cut on his head.

“The cut was so deep that it almost chopped off the victim’s head,”the source narrated.

It was also learnt that while being attacked, the victim was drenched in the pool of his blood, after which other farmers nearby who heard his agonising cry for help, stormed the scene, rounded him up, and later called the police.

Speaking on the incident when contacted, Abutu, the police spokesman in the state, confirmed the incident and the arrest of the culprit.

According to him, investigation has already commenced into the incident.

Abutu said, “the suspect has been arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigations. The suspect will be charged to court on conclusion of the investigation.”