Residents of Omifon community in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State were thrown into shock and anguish after a three-year-old boy was allegedly poisoned following a dispute between his mother and their landlady.
The incident, which has sparked widespread concern among parents and neighbours, occurred on Tuesday morning, February 4, 2026. According to police sources, the toddler, Abdulrasheed, was allegedly given a liquid substance suspected to be poisonous by a 40-year-old woman identified as Nafisat Lateef, the family’s landlady.
Trouble reportedly started after a misunderstanding between the child’s mother, Rofiyat, 32, and the suspect. Moments after the substance was allegedly administered around 8:30 a.m., the child began vomiting violently, throwing the household into panic.
The distressed mother rushed her son to a nearby hospital, where he received urgent medical attention and was stabilised. The incident was formally reported the following day at the Odigbo Police Division.
Acting swiftly, detectives from the Ondo State Police Command arrested the suspect and recovered the liquid substance believed to be involved in the incident. Police confirmed that the suspect is currently in custody and has made statements as investigations continue.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Adebowale Lawal, described the incident as troubling and warned against allowing domestic and landlord-tenant disputes to degenerate into actions that could endanger lives—especially those of vulnerable children.
He assured residents that the Command remains committed to justice and urged members of the public to seek lawful means of resolving conflicts rather than resorting to violence.
As investigations progress, the case is expected to be charged to court, while residents of Omifon community continue to grapple with the emotional impact of an incident that nearly claimed the life of an innocent child.
