A tragic and shocking tale of domestic horror unfolded in Ajowa Akoko, Ondo State, where Monday Elela, a father of seven, has confessed to killing his 14-year-old son, Tope Elela, over what he described as “disgracing the family.” The incident has not only sparked outrage in the community but also led to a deeper police investigation into Elela’s actions and other criminal activities in the area.
Elela, paraded alongside 24 other suspects at the Ondo State Police Command headquarters in Akure, admitted to the crime. “I did not know the boy would die,” he claimed, recounting how he had beaten Tope after the teenager escaped custody from the State Security Network, Amotekun Corps. According to Elela, his son’s repeated involvement in housebreaking and theft pushed him to take drastic measures.
“When he came back that night, I was furious,” Elela told journalists. “I beat him and went to sleep. The next morning, his siblings found him lifeless. That was when I decided to bury him under a banana tree behind our house.”
The father’s chilling confession has left the community and authorities grappling with the implications of his actions.
Elela described his late son as the “black sheep” among his children, alleging that Tope’s involvement in criminal activities had brought shame to their family. He revealed that he had frequently handed the teenager over to local vigilantes or the Amotekun Corps for punishment in a bid to correct his behavior.
Tope’s latest trouble began when he escaped from Amotekun’s custody, returning home to face his father’s wrath. Tragically, the punishment intended to discipline him resulted in his death.
In a desperate bid to cover up the incident, Elela buried his son in a shallow grave. His wife and other children reportedly fled the home when the father’s arrest became imminent.
The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Wilfred Afolabi, expressed dismay over the gruesome act during the parade of Elela and other suspects. “This incident highlights the extent of desperation and poor judgment some individuals resort to when faced with family challenges,” Afolabi stated.
The case has drawn attention to broader issues of parental responsibility, community safety, and justice in the state. Elela’s arrest was part of a broader operation by the police that uncovered various criminal activities, ranging from cultism to illegal possession of firearms.
Among the suspects paraded were individuals linked to recent cult clashes in Owo Local Government Area, where five people lost their lives. Police apprehended one Olamide Ogunseyila, 28, who confessed to being a member of a cult group.
The police also arrested several other suspects, including Gbenga Bisi, 25, and Gbenga Esther, 20, at a hideout in Akure. A double-barrel, cut-to-size gun, ammunition, and cartridges were recovered at the scene.
The Commissioner of Police detailed the involvement of cult groups, identifying two factions—Aye and Eiye—as primary culprits in the ongoing clashes. “We are intensifying efforts to apprehend others linked to these violent groups, including Steven Dada, alias ‘Ogodo,’ who remains on the run,” Afolabi said.
Additionally, 61-year-old Ijarotimi Taye, who was discovered with suspicious injuries, is under investigation for possible links to criminal activities.
Elela’s case has sparked debate over the role of vigilante groups like Amotekun in community policing. While the corps aims to curb crime, critics argue that the reliance on extrajudicial punishment can escalate conflicts and lead to tragic outcomes, as seen in Tope’s case.
The death of Tope Elela has elicited mixed reactions. While some community members sympathize with the father’s frustrations over his son’s behavior, many condemn his actions as barbaric and inexcusable.
The Ondo State Police Command has urged parents to seek professional help in handling difficult children rather than resorting to physical punishment or involving vigilante groups.
“This is a wake-up call for families facing similar challenges,” CP Afolabi warned. “There are lawful ways to rehabilitate troubled children. Taking the law into your own hands will only lead to regret.”
As investigations continue, Tope’s death serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of unregulated vigilante justice and the need for better support systems for struggling families.
In the words of human rights activist Akindele: “We must do better as a society. Children deserve protection, even when they go astray. The sins of the child should never justify the sins of the parent.”
