A 38-year-old man identified as Mike Oje was reportedly beaten to death by his neighbours in Mowe, Ogun State, following a disagreement over his interaction with a three-year-old child.

According to reports, Oje was hugging and playing with the child when the child’s father allegedly became upset and accused him of engaging in “rough play.”

The spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Friday.

Babaseyi said that following the father’s reaction, some neighbours reportedly picked up a bamboo stick and began beating Oje.

He said Oje allegedly collapsed during the attack due to the severity of the beating and later died from injuries sustained.

The police spokesperson added that the suspect reportedly fled the area with his family after realising what had happened and was said to be hiding in an unknown location.