The police command in Ondo says it has arrested a suspect for beating a young boy to death for allegedly plucking cocoa pods from a farm.

Olushola Ayanlade, the command’s spokesperson, disclosed this on Tuesday. According to him, the incident occurred at about 2:30 p.m. on September 20 at Akunmi Quarters in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South West LGA.

“The police received a report of a young boy who had been severely assaulted after being accused of plucking cocoa pods from a farm. The boy was brought to the station in an unconscious state, and officers immediately directed that he be taken for urgent medical attention.

“Regrettably, at about 5:36 p.m., he was confirmed dead at the hospital. The complainant was promptly arrested, while the deceased’s remains were deposited at the hospital’s morgue for autopsy,” he said.

The spokesperson explained that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Akure for discreet investigation with a view to ensuring that justice was served.

“Citizens are urged to resist the temptation of taking laws into their own hands, but rather report all infractions, disputes, or criminal acts to the police and allow due process of the law to prevail,” he said.

While commiserating with the family of the deceased, he assured them that the matter would be handled with utmost fairness, professionalism, and adherence to the rule of law.

(NAN)