A tragic incident has thrown residents of Agoti Farm Settlement in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State into mourning following the gruesome killing of an 18-month-old toddler whose body was later discovered with her head severed.

The heartbreaking incident reportedly occurred a few days ago when an unidentified assailant allegedly invaded the farm settlement where the child lived with her parents, attacked her mother, and abducted the toddler before carrying out the horrific act.

The victim’s father, Bright Kalu, a farmer from Abia State, has appealed to the Ondo State Government, security agencies, and human rights organisations to ensure that those responsible for the crime are apprehended and prosecuted.

Recounting the incident, Kalu said he was working on a separate farmland some distance from the family’s camp when the attack occurred. According to him, the toddler was at home with her mother and three siblings at the time.

He explained that upon returning from a nearby settlement where he had gone to purchase food items, he found his wife visibly distressed. She later informed him that an unknown individual had stormed the camp and attacked her.

Kalu said his wife was able to secure the safety of three of their children during the attack, but their youngest child was missing.

A search was subsequently launched, leading to the discovery of the toddler’s lifeless body under tragic circumstances.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the killing.

He stated that detectives are continuing investigations to unravel the circumstances surrounding the crime and determine whether other individuals were involved.

According to the police, the matter was first reported at the Olofin Police Station in Idanre before being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Akure for further investigation.