Teenager locks in parents, steals car, other items in Ogun

Ayomiposi Esan, a 17-year-old child, is accused of robbing his parents, Mr. Oluwafemi and Mrs. Tosin, of three mobile phones, two generator sets, a sound system, and a Toyota Corolla automobile, among other things.

The child fled with the valuables after locking his parents inside the home in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Reports say that on September 3, 2023, the suspect broke into the house in the wee hours of the night while the couple were asleep in the apartment.

According to a source in the neighourhood, who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak for the family, told our correspondent that it took joint efforts of other residents to free the parents from the flat after their son fled the scene with the stolen goods.

After the couple reported the incident to the Ogijo Divisional Police Station, Awode Olatunde, a Superintendent of Police, led his men in vigorous pursuit of the suspect, leading to his arrest in Lagos while he (Ayomiposi) was hunting for buyers for the stolen goods.

The source said, “The boy had successfully sold one generator set he stole. The father is preventing the police from prosecuting the son after his arrest. The police wanted the boy to be prosecuted for his action, but the parents said they wanted him to be released along with the stolen items.”

Speaking on the matter, Omolola Odutola, the state Public Relations Officer, who confirmed the incident, said the force intended to prosecute the boy but could not do so since the parents had opposed it.

According to Odutola, “The course of the investigation was truncated by the complainant, who was equally the biological father of the suspect, as he vehemently declined prosecution of his son, one Ayomiposi Esan. He wanted his son and the recovered stolen goods, including the car, released.

“In the spirit of community policing and considering the force’s image so that police will not be seen as being too harsh on him and his family, the teenage son was consequently released with his property on bond.

“However, the son was counseled, cautioned, and advised to turn a new leaf and shun further indulgence in all forms of delinquency to avoid future occurrences.”