A labourer brutally killed his employer, 60-year-old Mrs Adelugba, with a machete in Láòsò, a settlement after Laje Camp in Ondo West Local Government area of Ondo State.
According to a source who spoke to Ondo State Govt publication, Hope Newspaper, the deceased was a well-known farmer who owned three farms in the area. She had only one daughter who resides in Abuja with her husband.
Recently, Mrs Adelugba completed her own house at Miracle Land, FFF, Ondo. She had hired a labourer, who lived with her at Láòsò, to assist with farm work.
The source revealed that sometime last week, the labourer was caught stealing kola nuts from one of the farms without Mrs Adelugba’s permission.
When confronted, he pleaded with her not to expose him, as the village’s tradition dictates that anyone caught stealing would be banished.
He promised to either pay for the stolen kola nuts or have the cost deducted from his wages at the end of the year, a compromise the woman accepted.
However, on Saturday, in a shocking turn of events, the labourer monitored the movement of Mrs. Adelugba to her farm, and attacked her with a machete, k!lling her. He then covered her body with leaves and palm fronds before fleeing to the village.
Police sources confirmed that the suspect was initially detained at the Fagun Police Division before being transferred to the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) in Akure for further investigation.
The deceased’s family has been directed to visit the police headquarters on Wednesday to obtain the necessary clearance for her burial.
If they secure permission early in the day, she will be laid to rest on the same day; otherwise, the burial will be postponed until Thursday.
The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the incident, stating that investigations are ongoing.
