Tragedy struck in Kajola, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, as a man identified as Eze Elechi Amadi allegedly murdered his 18-year-old younger brother, Otu Ifeanyi, following a dispute over money. The shocking case has sparked outrage across the community and raised fresh concerns over rising domestic violence and financial disagreements turning fatal.
Amadi was paraded alongside 99 other suspected criminals by the Ondo State Police Command at their headquarters in Akure, the state capital, during a weekend press briefing. The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, while addressing journalists, disclosed the disturbing details of the incident and how the crime was uncovered.
According to CP Lawal, the case came to public attention after a resident of Kajola, identified as Oluwafemi Oladipupo of Paragon Street, noticed a suspicious-looking blue plastic drum tied with a black rope in front of his house. Out of curiosity and concern, he alerted the authorities. Upon close inspection, the lifeless body of 18-year-old Otu Ifeanyi was shockingly discovered inside the drum.
Investigations revealed that Amadi had placed his brother’s body in the drum and attempted to transport it away on a motorcycle to secretly dispose of it. However, the plan failed when the drum reportedly slipped off the motorcycle, drawing attention to his actions. Residents immediately intervened, apprehending him on the spot and handing him over to the police before he could escape.
During police interrogation, Amadi confessed to killing his younger brother. He accused Otu of unlawfully transferring ₦20,000 from his Ecobank account, a financial dispute that escalated into a fatal confrontation. The suspect admitted to lashing out violently before eventually deciding to conceal the body in an attempt to cover up the crime.
“The corpse has been deposited at the mortuary while further investigation is ongoing. The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation,” CP Lawal confirmed during the press briefing, assuring the public that justice would be served.
The incident has left residents in shock, with many condemning the tragic turn of events, stressing that such an amount should never have led to the loss of a young life. Meanwhile, authorities have urged families to embrace peaceful conflict resolution and avoid violence in handling disputes, particularly within households.
The case continues to generate heated discussions on social media, with netizens expressing disbelief and anger at the shocking incident. Calls have also been made for stronger awareness on anger management and the devastating consequences of domestic violence in Nigeria.