What was supposed to be a night of celebration and new beginnings turned into a horrifying tragedy in Ebe, Kogi State, on December 31, 2012.
At about 11:55 p.m., just minutes before the new year, Hosea Folorunsho, a local herbalist, allegedly killed his four-month-old son, Sunday, before burying the infant in a shallow grave within the family compound.
Days before the incident, a domestic dispute had reportedly forced Sunday’s mother to leave the house and stay with a family friend. She left her young son in the care of his father, apparently believing he would keep the baby safe.
It was a decision that would end in tragedy.
A Midnight Tragedy
While people across the community were preparing to welcome 2013, events inside the Folorunsho compound were taking a dark turn.
According to reports, police alleged that at approximately 11:55 p.m., Folorunsho turned on his infant son and killed him.
After the alleged killing, he reportedly carried the baby’s body into the compound and buried him in a shallow grave, apparently hoping that the incident would remain undiscovered.
There were later reports and suspicions that the killing may have been linked to ritual motives, although such claims were not established as fact.
However, the alleged crime did not go unnoticed.
A neighbour reportedly became suspicious after seeing Folorunsho moving around and digging in the compound late that night. The unusual activity raised concerns, prompting the neighbour to alert the authorities.
Police officers subsequently arrived at the residence and arrested Folorunsho.
The Horrifying Discovery
Following his arrest, Folorunsho reportedly led the police to the spot where the baby had been buried.
In the presence of the officers, he allegedly dug up the shallow grave, leading to the discovery of the remains of four-month-old Sunday.
An autopsy reportedly revealed that the infant had suffered multiple bone fractures before his death, adding to the horror of the case.
The Kogi State Police Command later paraded Folorunsho in early January 2013 after the baby’s remains were exhumed.
The incident was condemned by the police authorities, who described it as a particularly disturbing and horrific case. Folorunsho was subsequently transferred to the state police headquarters for further interrogation and investigation.
The tragedy left residents of Ebe deeply shaken. It also highlighted the importance of community vigilance, as a neighbour’s decision to report suspicious activity ultimately helped authorities uncover what had allegedly happened behind closed doors.
What Happened to the Suspect?
There does not appear to be a publicly available record of the final court verdict or sentencing in the case of Hosea Folorunsho.
Any claim about his eventual conviction or sentence should therefore be treated with caution unless supported by an official court record or credible contemporary report.
Under Nigerian law, the punishment for murder can include the death penalty, subject to the applicable law and circumstances of the case.