Family Left With Questions After Vigilante's Sudden De@th in Ile-Ife

The family of a vigilante member known as Apetu, whose real name was Sunday, is grappling with unanswered questions following his sudden death in Ile-Ife, Osun State, an incident that has since drawn wide attention across the community.

The tragedy occurred around 2:30pm on Sunday in the Odi-Olokun area of Ile-Ife, shortly after Apetu reportedly had a s3xual encounter with a woman who has since been taken into custody at the Moore Police Division.

According to a situation report attributed to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Apetu was found gasping, screaming and pleading with the woman while showing signs of severe physical distress in the moments following the encounter.

A video that later circulated on social media captured the disturbing scene, showing the man in visible distress at Ooni Ilare Street, where he was heard pleading with the woman for help.

Apetu did not survive the ordeal.

His remains were deposited at the morgue of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, where his family and the wider community now await answers on what truly caused his death.

Some residents have attributed his passing to what they describe as a thunderbolt, a traditional belief holding that a person under such a spell could harm another through s3xual contact.

However, this claim has not been established as a medical or scientific explanation, and authorities have not confirmed any link between the belief and Apetu's death.

A senior officer of the Osun State Police Command said the command was aware of the reports circulating on social media but cautioned members of the public against spreading unverified information.