Herbalist Arrested For Chaining and Starving his Children to Death in Ogun
A 45-year-old herbalist has been arrested by the Amotekun Corps, a part of the Ogun State Security Network, for allegedly chaining and starving his two children to death.
Gbenga Ogunfadeke, a father of three, was arrested in Ibiade, Waterside LGA, following complaints by his ex-wife.
According to the Amotekun Commander, David Akinremi, the suspect had been mistreating his children since taking custody of them after his marriage crashed with their mother, Busola Otusegun.
The children, aged 16, 17 and 18, were locked in solitary confinement and deprived of food and water for over three months.
It led to the death of two of them – Yusuf Ogunfadeke (18) and Dasola Ogunfadeke (17) – between April and June 2022 in Ijebu-Ode, where they resided with their father until he relocated to Ibiade.
The suspect admitted to confining his children in that way for months, but denied not feeding them and being responsible for their deaths.
He alleged that their actions of stealing were what led to his severe measures.
However, the claimed hospital where the two children died in Ijebu-Ode and the burial ground remains unknown.
He also failed to make the incidents known to any family member.
His statement added to the suspicion that the children were murdered for possible rituals, as he is a herbalist.
A child who survived the ordeal narrated the children’s experiences to their aunt in Ibiade, where the suspect lives with his surviving son.
The aunt alerted the authorities, leading to his arrest. According to the statement, the suspect would be charged to court.
The arrest has sparked reactions from members of the public and child rights groups in the area.
They called on the authorities to ensure the suspect is brought to justice and commend Amotekun for their timely intervention.
Child rights organizations have continuously advocated to ensure that parents and caregivers fulfill their responsibilities to children by protecting, not harming, them.
They also call on parents to handle evolving problems and disputes with their children amicably, using appropriate measures that are in line with the law.
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