By Idahosa Musa
Edo State Police Command have arrested a 45-year-old Pastor, Ijebor Simon, and one Destiny Okojabhole, 23, over alleged murder of a seven-year-old boy, Evans Okojabhole in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area in the state.
SP Moses Yamu, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Edo stated this in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday in Benin, the Edo State Capital.
Yamu said the case of the alleged murder of the minor was reported to the Irrua Divisional Headquarters by the deceased’s father one John Okhojibole of Jehovah Witness Road, off Elebesunu Street, in Irrua.
He said the incident was reported on February 22, 2025 at about 1.45 pm.
The PPRO said that the complainant, John Okhojibole, reported that the remains of his seven-year-old son was sighted with his stomach ripped open, feet cut-off and dumped in the bush close to their house, 24 hours after he was reported missing.
The Command’s spokesman said during preliminary investigations, the two suspects were arrested by the operatives of Irrua Divisional Headquarters.
He said the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department Benin City for further investigation.
Similarly, operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested three suspects for the alleged murder of Victor Ogedengbe, 50, the vigilante commander in Erah community in Owan East Local Government Area in the state.
Moses Yamu, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Benin.
Yamu who gave the names of the arrested suspects as Ibrahim Agboje (king), Yakubu Abdulkareem and Kareem Audu, said that the suspects are from Erah.
The statement said: “On February 25, 2025 at about 7.30 am, the Chairman of Owan East LGA reported at Afuze Division that one Vigilante Commander Victor Ogedengbe, 50 years, of Erah Camp, was killed in his farm by suspected herdsmen and was deposited at the hospital.
“Immediate investigation launched by operatives of the Afuze Division led to the arrest of three suspects, named, lbrahim Agboje (King), Yakubu Abudulkareem and Kareem Audu all of Erah Community and equally transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department for further investigations”.
It was gathered that the deceased who was the Coordinator/Chairman of Vigilante in Erah, was allegedly killed on Monday, February 24, 2025, while returning from his farm.
It was learnt that he was on a bike when he was ambushed by suspected hoodlums who had laid siege in Erah.
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “This is the third murder in a row from last year till date.
“The first was Edekin Igharo who was killed with cutlass in February last year. He was the head of the vigilante.
“Victor was next in command. When the former commander was killed, Victor took over and continued the fight to restore peace and security in Erah land.
“One other person was killed in May last year by the same suspected herders. Victor was also a successful farmer.”
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