Osun State Police Command on Thursday confirmed the arrest of a chieftaincy title holder, identified simply as Ajibade, for allegedly forcing a suspect he caught stealing maize from his farm to drink poisonous substance.

The command spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, who said investigation had commenced into the matter, called for calm by those that were aggrieved over the incident.

In a short video obtained from sources in Ireti Ayo Area, Ilesa, where the incident happened, a man was seen sitting on the ground with two pieces of corn placed close to him.

Another man standing close to the one sitting on the ground was also observed holding a big stick, while an elderly man approached them.

The elderly man, holding a cutlass later forced the man sitting on the ground to drink from a cup containing a substance he held, with the victim putting up a lame resistance.

After drinking the content, he was left to go.

A resident of Ireti Ayo, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimization, said the incident happened over a week ago, adding that the young man forced to drink the substance stole two pieces of corn from Ajibade’s farm and was caught.

The resident further said, “After he was forced to drink the substance, Chief Ajibade left him to go. We quickly rushed the boy to Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa where doctors eventually neutralize the effect of the poison.

“But when all that was going on, someone went to the house of the father of the victim and told him that his son had been poisoned for stealing corn and died. The man was seized by shock.

“He eventually died. But the boy that drank poison is alive and stable. Police have arrested the suspect in his hometown in Ipetu Ijesa and moved him to Osogbo for further investigations.”

Giving more clarification about the incident, Ojelabi, during a chat with The PUNCH, gave the name of the suspect as Chief Ajibade, aged 62 years.

Ojelabi also said, the victim that was caught stealing corn bears Ebenezer, aged 25 years.

“The boy allegedly stole two pieces of corn from the man’s farm. The man caught the suspect, beat him up, mixed a substance, and forced the boy to drink it.

“The boy drank it, but with the help of the good people around, he was rushed to the hospital. He was rushed to Wesley Guild Hospital.

“Doctors at the hospital sustained him and he did not die. The doctors stabilised him. But the news of the incident reached the father of the boy that was caught stealing.

“Some people went to the father and told him that his son had died of poisoning after being caught stealing corn. The father immediately gave up the ghost.

“The boy is alive. But his father died of shock. The matter has been reported and we have the suspect here with us. Investigation will continue into the matter,” Ojelabi said. (The PUNCH)