Tragedy struck in Kukudi Village in Imasayi area of Ogun State on Friday 10th of March 2023 as a 13-year-old boy, Ope Babalola shot dead a three-old girl Esther Samuel with a dane gun.
The police command in the state says it has arrested a 45-year-old Semiu Adegesin over the incident for what it termed ‘contributory negligence.’
Crime report at the disposal of NOTM indicated that the suspect was arrested following a report lodged at Imasayi Divisional Headquarters of the command over the matter.
The state police spokesman, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi said acting on the information, the Divisional Police Officer, Imasayi, SP Arowojeun Michael, quickly led detectives to the scene where the deceased was met in the pool of her own blood.
He added that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect Semiu Adegesin loaded his dane gun, and carelessly kept it in an open place at the backyard of the house where children used to play.
He explained that it was there the 13-year old Ope Babalola picked the loaded gun, pointed it at the deceased and pulled the trigger.
Oyeyemi said the deceased was quickly taken to General Hospital Ilaro, where she was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.
“The owner of the dane gun was promptly arrested and taken to the station for interrogation,” he said.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba, who described the incident as unfortunate, sympathised with the deceased’s family and appealed for calm as the case will be properly investigated.
The CP has directed that the case be transferred to Homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation Departments for discreet investigation.
