The life of a 16-year-old, Olayemi Agbeloba, has been tragically cut short by suicide after allegedly being raped by the husband of her boss identified only as Ajibode.
The incident took place at her boss’ residence in the Eruwa community, Ibarapa Local Government Area of Oyo State.
According to reports, Ajibode, a welder by profession, not only perpetrated this heinous crime but also threatened the minor with dire consequences if she dared to disclose what had happened.
Prior to her untimely death, Agbeloba was working as an apprentice under Ajibode’s wife, learning the craft of fashion design.
She had been living with the couple to assist with domestic chores alongside her training.
The horrifying incident occurred on June 23, 2023, when Agbeloba was sleeping in a room at the couple’s residence. Ajibode allegedly entered the room and sexually assaulted the young girl.
Overwhelmed by the trauma of this violation, Agbeloba reportedly consumed a toxic substance, suspected to be insecticide, leading to her tragic demise.
Agbeloba’s grieving father, Sunday, has been shattered by the circumstances that led his daughter to take such a desperate step. In his quest for justice, he promptly reported the case to the Eruwa Police Station.
However, he lamented that while the police initiated an investigation and arrested Ajibode, the suspect remains confident that he will evade justice.
Sunday shared his anguish, stating, Sunday said, “Olayemi went to Ajibode’s wife’s house early this year because my wife and I decided that she should learn handiwork. She had been staying with Ajibode and his wife for about six months and suddenly, we were told that she died.
“Later, we heard Ajibode had raped my daughter after which she drank an insecticide. This was confirmed by medical workers at the hospital she was taken to for treatment after she drank the insecticide. At the hospital, we were also told that before my daughter died, she said Ajibode raped her and that was what made her drink the insecticide.
“I reported the case at the Eruwa Police Station and he was arrested and released. Since then, Ajibode has been claiming that he knows people and that there is nothing we could do to him. He raped my daughter and pushed her to commit suicide and he’s still very confident that he would go scot-free.”
Amid tears, Agbeloba’s mother, Folake, demanded justice for her daughter, revealing that her daughter had confided in her about Ajibode’s disturbing behavior.
In her words, “I can’t speak now because they have taken my daughter away from me. Is it a crime for someone to go and learn a trade? Ajibode raped my daughter and he and his wife are trying to hide the crime that he committed. My daughter is gone because of what Ajibode did to her.
“She once told me that her boss’s husband usually disturbed her at night when she retired to sleep in their house. I wanted to make her come back home but also wanted her to finish her apprenticeship. Look at what they did to my child?”
The grieving parents, unable to supply Ajibode’s number themselves, offered the wife’s contact information in hopes of obtaining his number.
When approached for comment by The PUNCH, Ajibode’s wife declined to speak to the correspondent and refused to provide her husband’s mobile number.
She said; “I can’t speak. I am sleeping and I don’t even know you. I can’t say anything about that matter. I would rather see you before I say anything.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Asewale Onifeso, confirmed the incident, describing it as a case of homicide and defilement. He assured the public that investigations were underway, and updates would be provided accordingly.
