Police Arrest 5 Suspects Over Murder of 7-Year-Old Boy and Vigilante Commander

The Police Command in Edo State has announced the arrest of five suspects in connection with two separate killings in the state.

This was disclosed in a statement released on Wednesday, February 25, in Benin, by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, CSP Moses Yamu.

Yamu stated that the killings include the alleged gruesome murder of a 7-year-old boy and the assassination of a local vigilante commander.

He stated that one Mr. John Okojabhole, a resident of Jehovah Witness Road, off Elebesunu Street in Irrua, reported the murder of his son, Evans Okojabhole, on February 22. According to Yamu, the boy, who had been declared missing 24 hours earlier, was later found dead with his stomach ripped open, his ankles severed, and some fingers cut off.

”His mutilated body was dumped in a bush near their home. Following preliminary investigations, two suspects were arrested in connection with the crime. The police transferred the suspects to the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) in Benin for further investigation.”

The PPRO added that in another incident, the command is investigating the killing of one Victor Ogedengbe, 50, the Vigilante Commander of Erah Camp in Owan East Local Government Area of the state.

”Ogedengbe was reportedly attacked and killed on his farm on Feb. 25 by suspected herdsmen. The Chairman of Owan East LGA reported the incident at Afuze Police Division, prompting a swift investigation that led to the arrest of three suspects.

The suspects are all residents of Erah community, and they have also been transferred to the SCID for further interrogation,” he said.