OGUN STATE — Two fresh graves beside a three-bedroom bungalow in Ogooluwa community, Akiode Ibogun, Ogun State, have become a grim reminder of a domestic tragedy that allegedly claimed the lives of a Celestial Church of Christ shepherd, Bidemi Odukoya, and his wife within hours of each other.

The couple were reportedly involved in a late-night disagreement on Monday, August 31, which allegedly escalated into violence. Odukoya was said to have attacked his wife with a machete at about 2am before fleeing the community.

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He was later found dead along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, after allegedly jumping in front of an oncoming truck.

The couple, who were parents to three boys, were buried beside their home later the same day.

Community Shocked By Double Tragedy

The Baale of Akiode, Chief Taiwo Akiode, described the incident as unprecedented in the community, saying the couple had lived in the area for nearly a decade without being publicly known for serious quarrels.

“This unfortunate incident is the first of its kind in this environment. It is a tragedy of monumental proportion that no one saw coming,” Akiode said.

“Since over nine or 10 years that they have been living with us, you don’t get to hear that the couple are troublesome or quarrelsome.”

The traditional ruler said residents were left bewildered because the couple had apparently maintained a cordial relationship in public.

According to him, residents arrived at his residence around 3am to report that the shepherd had allegedly attacked his wife.

Akiode said he initially found the report difficult to believe until he visited the couple’s home and allegedly found the woman lying in a pool of blood.

“I was told that the Shepherd had killed his wife, that he macheted her. I could not believe my ears until we got to their residence and met the woman in a pool of her blood,” he said.

He said injuries consistent with a machete attack were observed at the scene, while a stool allegedly used during the altercation was also found.

Police officers later visited the residence and documented the scene, but Odukoya was nowhere to be found.

Shepherd Allegedly Dies On Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway

Several hours after the alleged attack, residents received information that Odukoya had died around Ifo, along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

Akiode said some community members were sent to verify the report before the police in Ifo took over the matter.

According to information received by the traditional ruler, Odukoya allegedly crossed the expressway repeatedly before sitting on the road median.

“Some people at Ifo told us that when the deceased got to the expressway, he was crossing the expressway back and forth repeatedly. He later sat on the divider, after which he saw an oncoming truck and jumped before it and died,” he said.

The wife was reportedly buried at about 5pm, while Odukoya’s remains arrived later after police documentation and were buried beside hers after 7pm.

Neighbour Alleges History of Domestic Violence

While some community leaders said they were unaware of serious problems in the marriage, a neighbour, Mrs Oluwatoyin Oseni, alleged that the couple had experienced repeated domestic disputes.

Oseni claimed she had recently assisted the wife following another confrontation between the couple.

“Sincerely, Mummy Daniel and her husband, whom we fondly called Iri Orun, have always engaged in domestic fights. Recently, I had to help take care of the wife after their usual fight,” she said.

She further claimed that police officers had previously intervened in one of their disagreements, leading neighbours to believe that the matter had been resolved.

According to Oseni, residents only discovered after the deaths that the couple had allegedly not been on speaking terms since June.

She said the couple’s 14-year-old first son, Daniel, raised the alarm at about 2am after allegedly witnessing his father attack his mother.

Oseni said she and another neighbour rushed to the residence after the teenager sought help.

“By the time myself and one other neighbour got to the residence of the couple, we discovered the lifeless body of Mummy Daniel with a broken head, all covered in blood, on the floor,” she said.

She added that when she questioned Odukoya about the incident, he allegedly told her that he was “as good as gone” but remained holding the cutlass, preventing the neighbours from moving closer.

Infidelity Allegations Emerge

The community youth leader, Seun Adelana, said residents had heard allegations that mutual suspicions of infidelity contributed to the couple’s marital problems.

“Allegations of infidelity from both the husband and wife were said to have been the major reason responsible for this sad event,” Adelana said.

He alleged that Odukoya suspected his wife of having another relationship, while some residents also claimed the shepherd himself was involved with another woman.

The claims, however, remain allegations and have not been independently established.

Couple Reportedly Had Court Case

The Asiwaju of Ibogun Akiode, Chief Oluwasegun Adeboye, said residents only became aware of the extent of the couple’s marital difficulties after their deaths.

Adeboye said he subsequently heard that the dispute had reached court and that the couple had been encouraged to attempt reconciliation.

“We even heard that they have already taken their case to court and they were asked to go back home and see if they could amicably resolve their differences, after which they return to the court for the next course of action,” he said.

The 76-year-old community leader said the couple were reportedly expected to return to court on Wednesday, just two days after their deaths.

Police Begin Investigation

The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed that it commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Opeyemi Oluborode, said the case file was being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

“The command is very much aware of the case. The case file is currently being transferred to the SCID for diligent investigation into knowing the actual facts surrounding the sad incidents,” Oluborode said.

The police investigation is expected to establish the precise circumstances leading to the death of the woman and the subsequent death of her husband.

The tragedy has meanwhile sparked calls from community leaders for couples experiencing serious marital difficulties to seek professional or community intervention before conflicts escalate into violence.

The Baale of Akiode urged couples to seek counselling and other forms of assistance when facing serious disagreements.

“It is worrisome that this could happen between husband and wife. It calls for lots of sober reflection. We should know that even if we disagree as couples, it should not be to the extent that life will be lost,” he said.

“We should also not wait for things to degenerate if we are having challenges with our marriage. We should seek help and counselling before things get out of hand.”