A renewed manhunt for Mr. Akinola Olabode Taoheed has reportedly claimed the life of his father following a violent attack by a mob in Lalupon village, Ibadan.
The incident, which occurred on the night of November 16, 2025, was reported on November 20, 2025, by Ibadan City Edge News. The report was filed by Kunle Adekola.
According to sources within the community, the mob—allegedly aided by influential traditional ritualists—had been searching for Olabode and Ms. Azeez Rukayat Omolara after both reportedly fled their residence around December 2024. The pair had previously been declared wanted following earlier incidents that led to Olabode’s banishment from the community in 2023.
Background information obtained from a sworn eyewitness testimony by Mrs. Adefunke Razaq Akinola reveals that on February 14, 2023, Olabode was attacked by members of the community after being accused of engaging in same-sex relations. He was reportedly beaten, inflicted with machete wounds, and dragged before a community council which found him guilty of what they described as “sacrilege” under traditional customs. Rather than executing him, the elders allegedly banished him to what is locally referred to as the “evil forest” on February 21, 2023, leaving him severely injured and without provisions.
He was later rescued by Ms. Rukayat, who reportedly risked her life to save him. Since then, both individuals had allegedly been living under threats, with community members declaring them wanted.
However, when the mob could not locate Olabode and Rukayat after their reported departure in late 2024, suspicion reportedly shifted to Olabode’s parents’ home in Lalupon village, Ibadan. Bellieving the couple to be in hiding there, the mob stormed the residence.
When the elderly parents could not produce their son and Ms. Rukayat, the mob allegedly descended on them violently. Olabode’s father was beaten into a coma, while his mother sustained serious injuries during the assault.
The father was rushed to Jericho Hospital in Ibadan, where he reportedly remained in critical condition for three days before succumbing to his injuries.
An eyewitness, Mr. Bamiji Adeboye, a neighbor and Chairman of the Community Development Association, confirmed the attack. He stated that the mob forcefully entered the premises late at night, insisting that Olabode and Rukayat were being harbored there. According to him, despite repeated explanations by the elderly couple that they had no knowledge of their son’s whereabouts, the attackers refused to listen and resorted to violence.
Mr. Adeboye described the incident as “deeply disturbing and tragic,” noting that fear has since gripped residents of the area.
When contacted, the police authorities in Ibadan confirmed that the matter had been reported and that investigations were ongoing as of press time. No arrests had been officially announced.
The tragic development has further heightened tensions in the community, raising concerns over mob justice, traditional enforcement practices, and the safety of vulnerable individuals and their families. Adewale Kayode reporting for the Populist News
