Police Arrest Landlord’s Son Over Fatal Cutlass Attack In Ondo Community

Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested 27-year-old Kazeem Awe over the killing of Motunrayo Adeleye, a nursing mother, after a violent dispute in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area.

Police said the incident happened around 5:00 a.m. in the Ore Alaba area, near a popular school, where residents were thrown into panic as people ran for safety. According to accounts from the area, the confrontation grew out of an argument over rent between Awe and the deceased woman’s husband, Mathew Adeleye, who lived in a property owned by Awe’s father.

Witness accounts indicate the quarrel had been building for some time after some tenants in the building were reportedly issued quit notices even though they said their rent had not yet expired. The dispute later turned violent, with Awe allegedly attacking people in the compound with a cutlass.

Police said Motunrayo Adeleye sustained severe injuries and was rushed to General Hospital, Ore, where medical workers confirmed her dead. Her husband, Mathew Adeleye, was also injured in the attack, while their daughter was hurt during the same incident.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Mathew Adeleye said the family had already begun plans to leave the property. He said he had informed friends to assist in finding another apartment and that they had secured one. He added that they were preparing to move out on the same Thursday the incident occurred.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the arrest of the suspect and said investigation is ongoing. He said the two surviving victims are receiving treatment, while the remains of the deceased have been deposited at the hospital mortuary.

The killing has raised fresh concern among residents about handling landlord-tenant disputes before they become violent. Community members said disagreements over rent are common in many areas, but the Ore case has left families shaken because of its deadly outcome and the injuries to a child.

Authorities are expected to continue interviews and forensic checks as part of the investigation. Police have urged residents to report threats early and avoid taking the law into their own hands during disputes over tenancy and property.