A farmer, identified as Adegoke, has reportedly beaten a suspected thief to death in Mile 10, Ore, the headquarters of Odigbo Local Government Area.
Several other suspects involved in the alleged theft were also injured in the attack and have been hospitalized.
Witnesses stated that Adegoke claimed the suspects had been stealing produce from his farm, including his motorcycle.
The suspected thieves were said to be from the neighboring Aba Tuntun community.
According to a source, “Some suspected thieves had been stealing the farm produces of one Adegoke, popularly called Ariya. But he had been keeping quiet for long.
“However, nemesis caught up with the thieves, as Adegoke was able to get hold of two persons out of four found on his farm.
“Before now, his Cocoa pods, Kola nuts, and plantains had been missing from his farm often and often, including his motorcycle. But he found two persons culpable of the offence.
“Adegoke beat the two persons to stupor, and in the process, they died. And that has led to intra-communal tension in the area.”
Adegoke was subsequently arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Akure for investigation.
Ondo Police spokesman, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said the complainant claimed the suspected thieves were around Adegoke farm to pick snails and not to steal.
She said it was the wife of Adegoke that called her husband that thieves were in his farm and he returned to attack them.
The Police spokesman said investigation was still ongoing.