The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday apprehended two suspects, Pastor Ijebor Simon (45 years) and Destiny Okojabhole (23 years), over the murder of seven-year-old Evans Okojabhole.
According to a statement from the Edo State Polie Command PPRO, Moses Yamu, the event was reported by the deceased father, John Okhojibole, of the Jehovah Witness Road, off Elebesunu Street in Irrua, Edo Central.
Yamu stated that the late Evans was discovered with his stomach ripped open, his feet removed from his ankle, and some fingers amputated and dumped in the bush near their home 24 hours after he was reported missing.
The statement read, “The Command is in receipt of a case of murder reported by one John Okhojibole of the Jehovah Witness Road, off Elebesunu Street in Irrua.
“The unfortunate incident was reported on 22/02/2025 at about 13:45 hours, when the remains of his seven-year-old son, Evans Okojabhole, were sighted with his stomach ripped open, his feet from his ankle, and some fingers cut off and dumped in the bush close to their house at the above-named address, 24 hours after he was reported missing.
“During preliminary investigations, two suspects, Pastor Ijebor Simon (45 years) and Destiny Okojabhole (23 years), have been arrested by operatives of Irrua Divisional Headquarters and transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department Benin City for further investigation.”
Yamu also stated that three people, Ibrahim Agboje (King), Yakubu Abudulkareem, and Kareem Audu, have been arrested in connection with the murder of Victor Ogedengbe (50), a vigilante commander, on his farm in Erah Camp, Owan East Local Government Area.
He added, “Similarly, on 25/02/2025 at about 07:30 hrs, the Chairman of Owan East LGA reported at Afuze Division that one Vigilante Commander Victor Ogedengbe (50 years) of Sarah Camp was killed in his farm by suspected herdsmen and was deposited at the hospital.
“An immediate investigation launched by operatives of the Afuze Division led to the arrest of three suspects, Ibrahim Agboje (King), Yakubu Abudulkareem, and Kareem Audu, all of Erah Community, and equally transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department for further investigations.
“Meanwhile, the Command has reviewed the security deployment in Uzanu and environs regarding the killing of two men by suspected herdsmen while in their farms in Okpekpe Community with a view to apprehending the perpetrators and forestalling reoccurrence.
“The Command under the watch of CP Betty Enekpen Otimenyin wishes to reiterate its commitments towards a safe Edo State, appreciates the support from the general public, and appeals for more cooperation from the good people of the State to ‘See Something and say something.”
