Tenants Brutally Murder Landlord’s Son Over Rent Dispute

​Just two months after laying their matriarch to rest, a Lagos family has been plunged into profound grief following the gruesome murder of 45-year-old Joseph Adetola. Adetola was allegedly tortured to death in his sleep by tenants occupying his late mother’s property at 11 Palace Road, Epe.

​According to family members, the tragic incident, which occurred on Friday, August 21, 2026, stemmed from lingering disputes over unpaid rent and constant altercations. Relatives revealed that several tenants had defaulted on rent for up to three years and grew hostile following the passing of the home’s owner on June 17, 2026, believing they could occupy the premises indefinitely without oversight.

​Recounting the horrifying ordeal, the victim’s Canada-based younger brother, Festus Adetona, stated that the attackers broke through a window into Joseph’s room, bound his hands and legs, and subjected him to savage physical abuse using planks and stones. Stepsister Simbiat Adetola further disclosed that the assailants inflicted horrific torture, including driving a nail into his genitals.

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​The family claims that despite an initial police intervention on the night the altercation began, no decisive arrests were made until after the victim had succumbed to his injuries. While neighboring houses have reportedly been abandoned by fleeing occupants, authorities have taken at least one suspect into custody as manhunts continue for the main perpetrators.

​Distraught relatives have mounted a passionate appeal to the Nigerian Police Force and state authorities, demanding a thorough investigation to ensure that all individuals linked to the heinous crime are apprehended and brought to justice.