Segun Daniel, a 29-year-old farmer has allegedly beaten his mother-in-law, Mrs Beatrice Lajuwoni, to death at Abusoro village in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
It was learnt that the marriage between Daniel and Olamiotan, daughter of the deceased, broke up after producing a child.
Sources said the late woman was killed by his son-in-law during a fight over the custody of the child.
The suspect was said to have gone to the house of the 42-year-old woman and insisted on taking away the child who had been living with her for the past few weeks.
But his wife reportedly refused to release the child and this led to a serious argument which degenerated to a fight during which the woman slumped.
She was said to have been rushed to a private hospital in Igbotako where she was later confirmed dead.
Eyewitnesses said the suspect fled the area immediately after the incident and his whereabouts was not known yet.
“The man went to the house of his mother-in-law where his wife and child were living on Saturday. He wanted to take the child but his wife did not allow him. This led to an argument between them and later a fight.
“In that process, his mother-in-law came and was trying to separate them. But that did not go down well with him. He punched the woman and she slumped. Shortly after, she was confirmed dead,” an eyewitness said.
Femi Joseph, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, confirmed the incident and said the command had commenced the investigation into the incident.
Joseph said Police were on the trail of the suspect, promising that he would soon be arrested.
He said: “Immediately after committing the crime, the suspect ran away. We have been looking for him. I am sure he will be arrested and face the full wrath of the law.”
