Benin City, Nigeria – Tragedy struck in Edo State as a 30-year-old man, Pere Odese, was lynched by an angry mob after allegedly killing his father during a dispute over food in Ikekhen community, Ewato, Esan South-East Local Government Area.
The incident, which has shocked residents, reportedly began when the suspect confronted his father, Friday Odese, a farmer, over the lack of food at home. Sources in the community said the father explained he had been unable to access his farm to harvest cassava due to insecurity in the area, particularly the presence of armed groups in nearby forests.
The explanation allegedly triggered a violent altercation, during which the son was said to have attacked his father with a cutlass, resulting in his death.
A neighbour who reportedly attempted to intervene sustained serious machete injuries and is currently receiving treatment at an intensive care unit in an undisclosed hospital.
Following the killing, residents mobilised and pursued the suspect as he attempted to flee. He was subsequently apprehended and beaten to death by a mob, bringing the number of fatalities from the incident to two.
The Edo State Police Command spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed that the case had yet to be formally reported to the police at the time of filing this report.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over rising insecurity in rural communities and the increasing resort to mob justice, despite ongoing calls by authorities for citizens to allow law enforcement agencies handle criminal matters.
