The Nigerian Police force, Ondo State, have arrested a 40-year-old landlady, Nafisat Lateef, over allegations that she poisoned the three-year-old son of her tenant following a disagreement.
The suspect was taken into custody after the child’s mother, Rofiyat, 32, reported the incident at the Odigbo Police Division in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.
According to police sources, the incident occurred at about 8:30 a.m. in Omifon, where the suspect allegedly gave the toddler, Abdulrasheed, a liquid substance believed to be poisonous.
The act was said to have followed a minor dispute between the landlady and the child’s mother.
Shortly after consuming the substance, the child reportedly began vomiting and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he received emergency medical attention.
Following the complaint, police operatives swung into action and arrested the suspect, recovering the liquid substance allegedly administered to the child.
Confirming the arrest, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said the suspect is currently in police custody and has made statements that are assisting ongoing investigations.
“The suspect has been arrested, and investigation is ongoing. The case will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation,” Abayomi said.
The police spokesperson warned residents against allowing landlord–tenant disagreements to degenerate into violence or criminal acts, noting that unresolved disputes often fuel dangerous behaviour.
He assured the public that the Ondo State Police Command remains committed to the protection of lives and property, urging residents to obey the law and continue to support the police with credible information to prevent crime across the state.
