A quiet community in Ondo State has been plunged into mourning after a 28-year-old man allegedly attacked and killed his three siblings with a machete in a brutal daylight assault.
OKITIPUPA, Ondo State – Panic and grief have engulfed the Okitipupa community in Ondo State following the gruesome killing of three siblings by their 28-year-old brother, Femi Agbeye, who reportedly used a machete to carry out the attack.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, has sent shockwaves through the neighbourhood, with residents gathering in sombre clusters to mourn the deceased and demand answers. The victims have been identified as Bose Agbeye, aged 20; Dupe Agbeye, aged seven; and Blessing Agbeye, aged just five. All three were children of the same parents and lived under the same roof as the suspect.
According to a statement issued by the Ondo State Police Command, the father of the suspect and the victims reported the matter to the police, stating that the suspect had attacked his three siblings with a machete in his absence, leading to their untimely deaths.
Police Swiftly Respond to Distress Call
The Police Public Relations Officer for the Ondo State Command, Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the incident in a formal release made available to newsmen on Wednesday.
“Upon receipt of the report, operatives of the Command swiftly mobilised to the scene, where the victims were found lifeless,” Mr Jimoh said. “Their remains were evacuated and deposited at the State Specialist Hospital Morgue, Okitipupa, for preservation and autopsy.”
Mr Jimoh further disclosed that the suspect, Femi Agbeye, was apprehended on the same day by police operatives. He is currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Community in Shock and Disbelief
The Okitipupa community, a predominantly agrarian and trading town in Ondo South Senatorial District, is known for its relative peace and strong communal bonds. Residents who spoke with Elanza News expressed disbelief that such a tragedy could unfold within a single family.
“We heard screams, but by the time we got there, it was too late,” said a neighbour who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal. “The suspect was still holding the machete. The children were already on the ground. We cannot understand what would make a brother do this to his own blood.”
Another resident described the victims as innocent and well-behaved children. “The seven-year-old and five-year-old were always playing outside. The 20-year-old was a quiet young woman who helped her mother with housework. None of them deserved this end.”
Commissioner of Police Vows Justice
In his reaction to the tragic incident, the Commissioner of Police for Ondo State, Adebowale Lawal, strongly condemned what he described as a heinous and inhuman act. He assured the public that the command would pursue justice diligently and without compromise.
“The commissioner expresses his deepest condolences to the family of the victims and the entire Okitipupa community,” the police statement read in part. “He assures the public that the command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the full weight of the law is brought to bear on the suspect.”
Mr Lawal also urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement agencies by providing any useful information that may aid ongoing investigations.
Understanding the Legal Framework: Murder Under Nigerian Law
Under the Nigerian Criminal Code, murder is defined as the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought. Malice aforethought includes an intention to kill, an intention to cause grievous bodily harm, or knowledge that the act will likely cause death.
If convicted, the penalty for murder is death by hanging, although sentencing has varied in practice following judicial reforms and the application of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. In cases involving multiple victims, each count of murder carries a potential death sentence, though courts often consider mental health evaluations and mitigating circumstances.
Legal experts note that the suspect’s mental state at the time of the offence will likely be a central issue in any trial. The court may order a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether the suspect was suffering from any form of mental disorder that could impair criminal responsibility.
A Growing Pattern of Domestic Violence?
This incident has reignited conversations about domestic violence and intra-family homicides in Nigeria. While much attention has been focused on violence against women and children by strangers or intimate partners, cases of siblings killing siblings remain relatively rare but deeply alarming.
According to data from the Nigeria Police Force, homicides within family settings accounted for approximately 8 per cent of all reported murders in 2024. However, experts believe many cases go unreported due to cultural pressures to resolve family matters privately.
“We need to pay more attention to mental health and conflict resolution within families,” said Dr Funmilayo Adebayo, a clinical psychologist based in Akure. “When a person can turn a machete on their own siblings, there is almost always a deep underlying issue – whether untreated mental illness, substance abuse, or prolonged family dysfunction.”
What Happens Next?
With the suspect in police custody and investigations ongoing, the next legal milestone will be the conclusion of the police inquiry. Once the investigation file is compiled, it will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice. If a prima facie case of murder is established, the suspect will be arraigned before a High Court in Ondo State.
The autopsy results from the State Specialist Hospital Morgue in Okitipupa will be critical to the prosecution’s case. Forensic pathologists will determine the exact cause of death for each victim, including the number and severity of machete wounds. This evidence will help establish intent and the level of violence used.
Meanwhile, the remains of the three siblings will be released to the family for burial once the autopsy and any additional forensic examinations are completed. Community leaders have begun making arrangements for a joint funeral service, which is expected to draw hundreds of mourners from across the local government area.
Public Calls for Stronger Mental Health Support
In the wake of the tragedy, civil society groups in Ondo State have called on the government to invest more in community-based mental health services. The Ondo State Ministry of Health has yet to comment on the incident, but sources indicate that officials are reviewing existing mental health outreach programmes in rural areas.
“We cannot keep reacting to these tragedies after they happen,” said Tunde Ogunlade, a human rights activist based in Akure. “We need early warning systems, accessible counselling, and mental health first responders in every local government. A man who kills his own siblings was clearly in crisis long before Tuesday.”
