An unidentified man in the Epe area of Lagos State has reportedly killed his eight-year-old son over a misplaced sewing thread. The tragic incident occurred on August 5 around 10:00 a.m.
According to information gathered by PUNCH Metro, the father became enraged when he discovered that his sewing thread was missing, allegedly due to his son misplacing it. In a fit of anger, the suspect reportedly doused the boy with petrol, also known as Premium Motor Spirit.
As the boy began to exhibit signs of distress, including vomiting a white substance, the father attempted to alleviate the situation by giving him palm oil to drink. Despite this, the boy lost consciousness, prompting concerned residents to rush him to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead within two hours of the incident.
A viral video circulating online shows the suspect kneeling before police officers and residents, apparently answering questions about the crime. Although the audio is unclear, an eyewitness in the video described seeing foam coming from the child’s nose and mouth.
The Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident. “A report was filed on August 5, 2024, alleging that a father poured petrol on his son’s face and pushed him after the boy misplaced his sewing thread,” Hundeyin said. “The boy lost consciousness, and his sister gave him palm oil. After consuming it, he began vomiting and was rushed to the hospital. The doctors confirmed him dead upon arrival.”
Hundeyin further stated that the boy’s body has been taken to a general hospital in Lagos for an autopsy. The suspect has been arrested on charges of alleged murder and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yaba for further investigation.
This tragic event follows a similar incident in July, where a man named Olumide allegedly beat his 19-year-old son, Adeyemi, to death with a shovel. The suspect in that case was also arrested, and an investigation is ongoing.