How Dad Poisoned 41-Day-Old Baby in Ogun

A dad identified as Kazeem Olajide allegedly poisoned his 41-day-old baby, Zainab, in a desperate bid to divorce his wife. The incident reportedly happened at about 7am on Friday at Ijoko-Abule, in the Lemode area of Ogun State.

According to Punch, the deceased baby’s mum, Abosede Ogundare, had left Zainab with Kazeem to sweep the compound only to come back and met the baby with foams gushing out from her mouth.

It was learnt that Ogundare alerted neighbours to the incident having found a bottle containing pesticide with her husband.

Zainab was said to have been rushed to a hospital in the community, where she eventually died.

Kazeem attempted to flee, but was held by residents, while the landlord of the house reported the case to the monarch of the community. He was subsequently handed over to policemen at the Agbado Police Division after he confessed to the crime before the monarch.

A resident, who identified himself only as Biodun on Tuesday said Kazeem had been threatening to divorce his wife before the baby’s untimely death.

He said, “He doesn’t love the woman and has been trying to divorce her. He poisoned the innocent baby to actualise his mission. They recently moved to this estate. She was their only child.”

The landlord of the house, who did not want his name in print, said the suspect had denied being Zainab’s father prior to the incident.

He said, “Three days before the incident, Kazeem (Olajide) was looking for a pair of his slippers. When he did not find it on time, he started raining curses. I called him by his daughter’s name, and tried to caution him, but he warned me not to call him by her name again. It was when the incident happened that I realised he might have intentionally killed the child.”

Sokunbi, the Oba of Ijoko-Lemode, said Kazeem owned up to the act, claiming that he was pushed by the devil. He said he had been following the case to ensure that the suspect was brought to justice.

The monarch added that Kazeem’s wife told him in the presence of his chiefs that she saw the bottle with him two days before the incident.

He said, “The woman thought the bottle contained herbs…(until) she smelled pesticide in the baby’s mouth.”

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed that the case said investigations are ongoing and the suspect will be charged to court.