Semiu Adegesin, 45, was arrested by Ogun State Police Command in connection with the death of Esther Samuel, a three-year-old girl.
The suspect was apprehended for causing the child’s death through negligence. Adegesin had left a loaded dane gun unattended in an open space in his backyard where children played.
Babalola, a 13-year-old boy, allegedly picked up the gun, aimed it at the girl, and pulled the trigger, killing her.
According to DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, the state Police Public Relations Officer, the suspect was apprehended after the Imasayi police divisional headquarters received a report detailing the incident at Kukudi village in Imasayi.
Oyeyemi said, “Upon arriving at the scene of the incident, the deceased was discovered in a pool of blood.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that Semiu Adegesin, the owner of the dane gun, loaded his gun and carelessly left it in an open place in the backyard of the house where children used to play.
“It was at this point that the 13-year-old Babalola picked up the loaded gun, pointed it at the deceased, and pulled the trigger.
“The deceased was quickly taken to the General Hospital, Ilaro, but was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.
“The owner of the dane gun was promptly arrested and taken to the station for interrogation.”
Expressing his sympathy to the family of the deceased, the Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba, described the incident as unfortunate. He also urged the public to remain calm while assuring them that the case would be thoroughly investigated.