Victor Ochei, a 38-years old man has been murdered by a colleague identified as Moses who worked at a local oil mill at Umunede in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State, even after collecting a ₦300,000 ransom from the victim’s family.
The tragic incident unfolded on Sunday, June 29, 2025, when Moses, reportedly a native of Kogi State residing in Umunede, lured Victor to a secluded palm plantation in Ute-Okpu under the guise of inspecting palm fruits. According to sources familiar with the matter, Victor unsuspectingly followed Moses into the bush, only to be brutally struck on the back of the head with a stick. He died on the spot, and his lifeless body was later found covered with palm fronds.
Despite having already killed Victor, the suspect used the victim’s mobile phone to contact his family, demanding a ₦10 million ransom for his supposed release. Unaware of Victor’s death, the distressed family managed to raise ₦300,000 and transferred the amount to an Opay account provided by the kidnapper.
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The gruesome crime sent shockwaves through the community, especially after the discovery that the ransom had been paid in vain. Security operatives eventually tracked and arrested Moses, who confessed to the crime during interrogation.
Victor Ochei was buried on Friday at his family compound in Umunede, where grief-stricken relatives and neighbors gathered to mourn his untimely and brutal death. Many described him as a hardworking and peaceful man who never imagined betrayal would come from a trusted colleague.
When reached for comments, Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, stated via WhatsApp that he was not yet aware of the incident, further raising concerns over communication and response gaps in critical criminal cases in the state.
As investigations continue, residents of Umunede are calling for swift justice and tighter security to prevent such heinous acts in the future. The horrific nature of the crime and the heartless exploitation of a grieving family have sparked outrage across social media, with many demanding maximum punishment for the perpetrator.
