A tragic incident unfolded in the Ijemo-Agbadu area of Abeokuta, Ogun State when a man identified as Okekenu Gbadebo allegedly delivered a fatal punch to his 37-year-old relative, Adebayo Gbenro, during preparations for their late father’s burial on Saturday evening.
According to reports from PUNCH Online, the fatal altercation took place around 7:30 p.m. when a heated argument erupted between Gbadebo and the deceased while they were making arrangements for the burial ceremony at their family residence in Ijemo-Agbadu.
Recounting the incident, a police source revealed on the condition of anonymity that Gbadebo struck the deceased in the chest following the intense dispute. This fatal blow led to Gbenro collapsing shortly afterward, as narrated by the victim’s sister, Bose Ajani, to the police as per a document obtained by PUNCH Online.
The sudden tragedy plunged the gathered family members preparing for their late father’s burial, scheduled for the next day, into chaos and confusion.
As per Omolola Odutola, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, who confirmed the incident via a WhatsApp message, Gbadebo was promptly apprehended following the report made at a police station.
Odutola stated, “The victim and suspect are relatives who had gathered for a burial ceremony at their family home in Abeokuta. An argument arose during the burial preparations, leading to Gbadebo striking the deceased in the chest, causing his immediate collapse.”
She continued, “The deceased was rushed to Ijaye General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The suspect is in custody, and the case will be handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough inquiry.”
In a related incident reported by PUNCH Online in 2018, a 32-year-old man named Julius Oliseh was arrested by the Ogun State Police Command for fatally stabbing 23-year-old Isikilu Shittu during a burial party in Mowe community, Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area.
According to the former command spokesperson, Oyeyemi Abimbola, the altercation between Oliseh and Shittu escalated, leading to Oliseh fatally stabbing Shittu in the neck with a broken bottle.
Abimbola mentioned, “Akeem reported that an argument broke out between the suspect and his late brother at a burial party in Ogunru village via Mowe. The suspect proceeded to stab the victim in the neck with a broken bottle, resulting in his immediate death.”