Sixteen-year-old Olayemi Agbeloba has reportedly committed suicide after being raped in the Eruwa community, Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The suspect, a middle-aged man simply known as Ajibode, allegedly raped Olayemi Agbeloba, the apprentice of his wife, at his residence.
The minor was reported to have been learning fashion design from Ajibode’s wife and have been living with her boss to help her with domestic tasks.
However, Agbeloba, was robbed of her innocence, On June 23, 2023. She was reported to have been sleeping in a room at the couple’s apartment when Ajibode entered the room and allegedly raped her.
Ajibode, a welder, allegedly threatened to kill the youngster if she mentioned what had happened to anyone.
Agbeloba, who was traumatized by the rape, reportedly drank a substance suspected to be insecticide and died thereafter.
Speaking to newsmen, the inconsolable father of the deceased confirmed the incident and said he had reported the case to the Eruwa Police Station.
He said; “Olayemi went to Ajibode’s wife’s house early this year because my wife and I decided that she should learn handiwork. She had been staying with Ajibode and his wife for about six months and suddenly, we were told that she died.”
“Later, we heard Ajibode had raped my daughter after which she drank an insecticide. This was confirmed by medical workers at the hospital she was taken to for treatment after she drank the insecticide.”
“At the hospital, we were also told that before my daughter died, she said Ajibode raped her and that was what made her drink the insecticide.”
“I reported the case at the Eruwa Police Station and he was arrested and released. Since then, Ajibode has been claiming that he knows people and that there is nothing we could do to him.”
“He raped my daughter and pushed her to commit suicide and he’s still very confident that he would go scot-free.”
Folake, the deceased’s mother, demanded justice for her daughter’s death while recounting her trauma through tears.
She went on to say that her late daughter had told her that Ajibode used to wake her up at night.
“I can’t speak now because they have taken my daughter away from me. Is it a crime for someone to go and learn a trade?”
“Ajibode raped my daughter and he and his wife are trying to hide the crime that he committed. My daughter is gone because of what Ajibode did to her.”
“She once told me that her boss’s husband usually disturbed her at night when she retired to sleep in their house.”
“I wanted to make her come back home but also wanted her to finish her apprenticeship. Look at what they did to my child?”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the occurrence, saying, “A case of homicide was reported at the Eruwa Divisional Police Headquarters.” It also appears to be an instance of defilement.”
He stated the investigations had been escalated and that future updates will be provided if needed.
