The Edo State Police Command has arrested two suspects, Pastor Ijebor Simon (45), and Destiny Okojabhole (23), in connection with the gruesome murder of a seven-year-old boy, Evans Okojabhole, in Irrua, Edo State.
A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, said the incident was reported by the victim’s father, John Okhojibole, who resides on Jehovah Witness Road, off Elebesunu Street in Irrua.
The young boy had been declared missing before his mutilated body was discovered in a bush near his home 24 hours later. His stomach had been ripped open, his feet severed from the ankles, and some of his fingers cut off.
“During preliminary investigations, two suspects, Pastor Ijebor Simon and Destiny Okojabhole, were arrested by operatives of the Irrua divisional headquarters, and transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) in Benin City for further investigation,” Yamu stated.
In a separate development, three suspects, identified as Ibrahim Agboje (King), Yakubu Abudulkareem, and Kareem Audu, have been arrested for allegedly killing a vigilante commander, Victor Ogedengbe, on his farm in Erah Camp, Owan East Local Government Area.
Yamu revealed that the crime was reported to the police on February 25, 2025, by the chairman of Owan East Local Government Area.
He stated that the victim was attacked, and killed by suspected herdsmen while working on his farm. His remains were later deposited at the hospital.
“Following an immediate investigation, operatives of the Afuze division arrested three suspects, who have now been transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) for further inquiries,” Yamu added.
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In response to recent violent incidents, the state police command has reviewed security deployments in Uzanu, and surrounding areas.
This follows the killing of two men by suspected herdsmen, while they were working on their farms in Okpekpe Community.
The state Commissioner of Police, Betty Otimenyin has reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety of residents across the state.
She also urged members of the public to remain vigilant, and report any suspicious activity to law- enforcement authorities.
“The command appreciates the support from the general public and appeals for more cooperation from the good people of Edo State to ‘See Something and Say Something,” the statement said.
