Tragedy struck in the Akungba-Akoko area of Ondo State as a young boy was beaten to death for allegedly plucking cocoa pods without permission. The incident occurred in the Alumni Quarters of Akungba, located in Akoko South West Local Government Area, and has since sparked outrage among residents.
According to reports, the boy was accused by a man, believed to be the owner of the cocoa farm, of unlawfully harvesting his cocoa. The confrontation quickly escalated into violence, leading to the boy being severely beaten.
Eyewitnesses said the victim was brought to the local police station around 2:30 p.m., already unconscious from the assault. From there, he was quickly referred to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Unfortunately, doctors confirmed the boy’s death just a few hours later.
Speaking on the matter, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ayanlade Olayinka, confirmed the incident and said the suspect responsible for the beating has been arrested by the police.
“The victim was brought to the police station unconscious after being assaulted over allegations of plucking cocoa pods. He was immediately referred to a hospital but sadly died a few hours later,” SP Olayinka said.
He added that the suspect is now in police custody and that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Akure for further investigation.
“The body of the deceased has been deposited in the hospital mortuary, and an autopsy will be carried out as part of the investigation,” Olayinka added.
The police spokesperson strongly condemned the incident and warned members of the public against taking the law into their own hands.
“No one has the right to act as judge, jury, and executioner,” he said. “We must all understand that the rule of law exists to protect everyone. Such acts of violence are unacceptable and threaten the peace and justice we all desire in our communities.”
The identity of the deceased has not yet been officially released by the police, but local residents say the victim was a young school-age boy known in the area. His death has shocked the Akungba community, with many describing it as a cruel and avoidable tragedy.
Community leaders and residents have called on the police and government to ensure that the suspect is brought to justice without delay. They also urged authorities to intensify public education about the dangers of mob justice and taking personal revenge.
“This is a sad day for our community,” said one resident who asked not to be named. “We are heartbroken that a child has died because of something that could have been resolved peacefully. This shows that we still have a long way to go in teaching people about resolving conflicts without violence.”
The killing also highlights the growing tension around cocoa farming in parts of Ondo State, where cocoa is a major economic crop. As one of Nigeria’s leading cocoa-producing states, conflicts over land, theft, and crop ownership are not uncommon.
As investigations continue, the Ondo State Police Command is calling for calm and cooperation from the public. They assure that justice will be pursued and that the matter will be handled with full transparency.
Meanwhile, the boy’s family and community continue to mourn the loss of a young life cut short, calling for meaningful action to prevent such incidents in the future. Many are demanding stricter enforcement of laws against violence and greater community awareness of peaceful dispute resolution.
