See Reasons Father Kills and Buries 14-Year-Old Son
Monday Elela, the father of 14-year-old Tope Elela, who was reportedly killed and buried, has admitted to killing his son due to his involvement in frequent criminal activities such as housebreaking and theft.
Elela, a resident of Ajowa Akoko in Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, described Tope as the “black sheep” of his family, which consists of seven children. The father and his wife were arrested by the police after allegedly killing Tope and burying him.
In an interview with the press, held at the Ondo State Police Command headquarters in Akure and overseen by Commissioner of Police Wilfred Afolabi, Elela revealed that he buried his son in a shallow grave beneath a banana tree in the backyard after the boy died. He explained that he had beaten Tope that night after he escaped from the custody of the State Security Network, Amotekun, where he was being held for previous crimes.
“I didn’t expect him to die when I punished him that night after he fled from Amotekun’s detention,” Elela said. He shared that he had regularly handed his son over to Amotekun or local vigilante groups when Tope was caught for stealing or other criminal offenses.
Elela further explained that his wife fled the scene along with their other children when the death of their son became known. “Tope had escaped from detention and was causing shame to the family due to his criminal actions. When he returned home, we disciplined him and went to bed. The next morning, his siblings found him dead, and I buried him under a banana tree,” he stated.
The police commissioner, CP Wilfred Afolabi, paraded Elela and 24 other suspects arrested for various offenses including murder, cultism, theft, and housebreaking. Among the individuals paraded were those involved in recent cult violence in Owo, which left five people dead.
Other notable suspects include 28-year-old Olamide Ogunseyila, a confessed cult member, and 25-year-old Gbenga Bisi, who was apprehended alongside 20-year-old Gbenga Esther in a hideout where police recovered a double-barrel cut-to-size gun, two expended cartridges, and additional ammunition.
Also paraded was 61-year-old Ijarotimi Taye, who was found with unexplained injuries on his body, raising suspicions of his involvement in criminal activities. CP Afolabi noted that 30-year-old Bero Adeola and Olabode Ojo, also known as “Paw Paw,” were arrested in Akure. Both admitted to being part of a cult group and claimed to have fled Owo due to ongoing clashes between rival cult factions.
The police commissioner further stated that investigations are ongoing into the involvement of other suspects, including Ijalade Olorunfemi, 42, and Ayodele Olayemi, 20, who are also believed to be involved in cult activities.
The Ondo State Police Command is intensifying efforts to apprehend Steven Dada, alias “Ogodo,” and any other individuals linked to these criminal actions.
