A tragic incident in Oba-Ile, Osun State, has left residents in shock after a suspected drug addict brutally murdered three children on Tuesday evening.
The suspect, 30-year-old Sodiq Eniola, reportedly stormed the residence of Mr. Ganiyu Bamidele at Ese Ola around 8:05 p.m. and attacked the children while they were asleep inside a shop run by their mother.
Eyewitnesses said Eniola, widely believed to be mentally unstable and addicted to drugs, entered in a frenzy and launched an unprovoked machete assault on the sleeping minors.
The children’s father, Mr. Bamidele, said the attack happened so swiftly that there was no time to react. “He didn’t speak to anyone. He just came in and started cutting them with a machete.
By the time we realised what was going on, my children were already gone,” he said tearfully.
Following the attack, an enraged mob descended on Eniola and beat him severely.
Although police from the Oba-Ile Division tried to rescue him and transport him to the hospital, he died en route due to injuries sustained during the mob assault.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said investigations had commenced. “This case is particularly heartbreaking. Preliminary reports suggest the attacker may have been under the influence of drugs.
We are probing further to understand the full circumstances,” he said.
The murder has reignited public outcry over Nigeria’s growing mental health crisis and unchecked substance abuse, particularly among vulnerable youths.
Community leaders and religious organizations in Oba-Ile have begun mobilising support for the bereaved family and are urging the state government to adopt stronger community health and security measures.
Residents lamented that similar erratic behaviours by drug-affected youths have been witnessed in the past without sufficient intervention.
They warned that continued neglect could lead to more tragedies.
As of press time, the bodies of the children had been deposited in a morgue while investigations continue.