A 25-year-old man identified as Daniel has been arrested by the Ondo State Police Command for allegedly beheading his younger brother, Emmanuel, aged 15.
The gruesome incident occurred on the evening of Monday, July 27, near a river known as Origbara, located in the Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.
According to community sources, the two brothers, who are sons of a respected police officer in the area, were seen earlier in the day heading toward the river in a seemingly cheerful and playful manner. Nothing at that point suggested any looming danger.
However, what began as an ordinary day soon spiraled into tragedy, leaving residents horrified. The situation took a dark turn when Daniel was reportedly caught attempting to hide his brother’s severed head inside a bag. A local farmer, who was on his way to cross the river, stumbled upon the disturbing scene and quickly raised an alarm.
Roland Akinkunmi, a community member who was present during the commotion, recounted the shocking moment. “I was near the palace when I heard people shouting from the direction of Origbara.
“When I got there, I saw Daniel with a human head in his hand. At first, I couldn’t process what I was seeing. It was only after a moment of clarity that I realised it was the head of his own brother. I am still in disbelief,” he said.
He further revealed that the siblings had a minor disagreement earlier, which many believed to be a normal quarrel between brothers. “Yes, people said they had a small fight earlier, but no one could have imagined it would lead to such a monstrous act. This is beyond comprehension,” he added.
The chilling incident has thrown the entire town into a state of panic and confusion, with residents struggling to come to terms with the brutality of the crime. Many locals expressed suspicion that the killing may have been ritualistic in nature, especially given the disturbing method used.
A resident remarked, “This town has a strong spiritual heritage. Whenever someone sheds human blood for rituals or under suspicious circumstances, it never stays hidden. The truth always finds its way to the surface.”
The motive behind the killing remains unclear as of now, and the suspect has not made any official confession regarding his actions.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the incident. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Olayinka Ayanlade, said that the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, has ordered an immediate and comprehensive investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the heinous act.
According to Ayanlade, the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Akure for further interrogation and legal proceedings.
The state police authorities have assured the public that justice will be served and have urged citizens to remain calm as investigations continue.