Rita Odafe
A construction worker named Elela Monday has been taken into custody by the Ondo State Police for allegedly killing his 14-year-old son due to the boy’s involvement in unlawful activities.
The tragic event took place in Ajowa Akoko, located in the Akoko North-West Local Government Area.
At 34 years old and a father of seven, Elela admitted to murdering his son and burying him in a shallow grave, claiming the boy was damaging the family’s reputation through his engagement in theft and other crimes.
During the press conference, CP Wilfred Afolabi revealed that police received an anonymous tip on December 30 about Elela’s actions, indicating that he had killed his son, Tope Elela, and buried him beneath a banana tree at their home.
According to the CP, Elela confessed that he and his wife agreed to this drastic action to curb the embarrassment brought on by the boy’s criminal behavior.
When talking to reporters, Elela insisted that he only beat his son and did not mean for him to die.
“I didn’t anticipate that he would pass away as a result of the beating after he escaped from the Amotekun security operatives,” he explained.
He also mentioned that he would often turn the boy over to Amotekun or local vigilantes for discipline whenever he was caught stealing or engaging in other illegal acts.
Following the incident, Elela disclosed that his wife fled with their other children upon learning about his arrest.
“The boy had run away from the Amotekun custody and was bringing shame to our family. After he returned, we punished him before going to bed. By morning, his siblings found him dead, and I made the decision to bury him under a banana tree,” said Elela.
