The Edo State Police Command has detained eight suspects in connection with the alleged murder of a site engineer, Efe Ogbeide, during a leadership crisis in Obazagbon Community, Benin.
Key Suspects Arrested
According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Moses Yamu, the prime suspect is Joshua Edo, the Chairman of the community youths.
Other arrested suspects include:
- Obayuwana Happy
- Uhunwangho Everest
- Chidera Umeh
- Simon Benjamin
- Odion Adagbonyin
- Kennedy Ohro
- Osayi Adagbonyin
The suspects were arrested at different locations by operatives from the Iyekogba Division’s Operation Rescue and Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
Background of the Crisis
The violence reportedly erupted due to disputes over leadership positions, specifically the roles of Chairman and Traditional Leader (Okiaghele). This conflict resulted in multiple deaths and destruction of property worth millions of naira.
Police Commissioner Condemns Violence
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Betty Isokpan, has strongly condemned the violence and vowed that all perpetrators will face the full weight of the law.
“She assured residents that security agencies remain committed to safeguarding their lives and property,” Yamu stated.
Civil Society Groups Demand Justice
The murder of Ogbeide, a hardworking site engineer, has sparked outrage among civil society groups.
The Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disabilities (NAPVID) and the Edo State Civil Society Organisations (EDOSCO) staged a protest on Tuesday.
NAPVID’s Executive Director, Melody Omosha, decried the brutal killing, emphasizing that the victim was deaf and may not have heard warnings before the attack.
The groups are calling for justice and better protection for persons with disabilities in the state.
The police have assured the public that investigations are ongoing, and all culprits will be brought to justice.