Metro

Man Beheads Friend After Misappropriating N30m

Published

10 months ago

December 23, 2024

The Delta State Police Command has arrested one Mr Efe Onoetiyi for killing his best friend, Paulinus Okon,
after collecting over N50 million from the deceased.

The Commissioner of Police Delta State Command, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, disclosed this on Monday while parading the man, alongside four other killers.

He said, “I welcome you to this briefing which is particularly painful. It involves the murder of one Paulinus Okon by his bosom friend, one Efe Onoetiyi. Paulinus was reported missing on September 8, 2024, by his brother after he went out with his friend Efe Onoitiyi, 30. The suspect, Efe Onoitiyi, who initially denied knowing what happened to Paulinus came to Paulinus’s house to ask his family about him.

“He was confronted that the deceased went out with him on that same date which he denied that the deceased did not go out with him. On a later date, Efe came back and demanded N500,000 from the deceased’s brother that he would use the money to pay a herbalist who could tell them Paulinus’s whereabouts. Efe again came and informed the family that Paulinus was kidnapped and he collected a ransom of about N20,715,000 from the deceased brother claiming that he was in touch with the kidnappers.

“When it became obvious that Efe had something to hide, he was arrested and the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, State Headquarters Asaba. On November 28 2024, I directed the DPO Ekpan to take over the case and ensure that a discrete investigation was carried out to fish out those responsible, as the main suspect, Efe, was not yielding.

“The DPO Ekpan carried out an intelligence-led investigation that indicted one Okeimute Gaga 48, Okeimute gaga upon his arrest opened up and confessed that he could no longer hide what happened.

“Okeimute Gaga narrated how Efe brought Paulinus to the Orere River in Otokutu and requested that they kill him. The suspect further stated that on September 8, 2024, Efe and Sunday Ikpeba, and a 30- old herbalist Lawrence Joseph tied Paulinus Okon to a stake at night close to Orere River and beheaded him alive.

“His body was thrown into the River while the herbalist took the head of Paulinus and buried him at his shrine in Otokutu. The DPO, Ekpan Police station, led police operatives to the shrine in Otokutu where the skull of Paulinus was exhumed and recovered.”

Olufemi stated that during interrogation, Efe confessed that he killed Paulinus because he did not know how to tell him he had diverted his money meant to buy the house.

He added, “Efe stated that he saw a building for sale at N30 million, which he advertised to the deceased and the deceased paid N30 million in three instalments, but instead of buying the house, he diverted the money for his personal use, bought two lands and was building a duplex for himself.

“He further stated that he did not know how to explain to the deceased that he had used his money hence he decided that killing Mr Paulinus would save him the trouble. Efe and the three other suspects are in custody.”

The CP, however, urged members of the public to be vigilant especially this season about the friends they keep, lamenting that parents are no longer taking the upbringing of their children, especially boy children seriously.

In an interview with the suspects, they all confessed to the crime, saying that the head was sacrificed to the gods of the community.

Metro

NDLEA Arrests 54 Suspected Traffickers, Seizes 1,506.57kg of Drugs In Edo

Published

8 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested 54 suspected drug traffickers with 1,506.57kg of various narcotic drugs.

The state commander of the agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed this on Tuesday while presenting the operational scorecard of the command in Benin City.

Ofoyeju said the seizure of the drugs and arrest of the suspects took place in the month of September.

He added that a total of 66,078,57kg of skunk cannabis were destroyed by the Command in the period under review.

The Commander, who said that the command recorded significant successes in its operations within the month, added that it was part of its concerted effort to combat drug trafficking and abuse in the state.

He gave the breakdown of the arrested suspects to include 43 males and 11 females.

He also added that during the operation six illicit plantations spanning over 26.43 hectares were destroyed.

Ofoyeju explained that the destroyed plantations were located at Ugbogui Forest, Ovia South West, Ataroro Forest, Owan West, Urohi Forest, Esan West, and Ogu Forest, Igueben Local Government Areas of the State with an estimated yield of 66,078.5715 kg of skunk cannabis.

“The command also intercepted 1,506.57kg of illicit drugs,” Mitchell stated while emphasising the command’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks operating within the state.

“The breakdown of the seized drugs is as follows: Cannabis Sativa 1,502. 26 Kg, psychotropic substances 4.27kg including tramadol 3.964kg, nitrazepam 0.087kg, Swinol 0.0445kg, Danabol (Molly) 0.1163kg, methamphetamine 0.0184 Kg, cocaine 0.028 Kg and heroin 0.014kg”, he said.

The NDLEA Commander in the state while expressing determination in the command’s campaign against drug trafficking, reiterated the importance of strategic operations in safeguarding communities and reducing drug demand.

He posited that the successs signified a critical step toward reclaiming the safety and health of citizens, as Edo State continues to grapple with the pressing issues of drug trafficking and abuse.

Metro

Army Officer Dies After Wife Allegedly Sets Him Ablaze In Akwa Ibom

Published

8 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

A Nigerian Army officer, Lieutenant Samson Haruna, has died after sustaining severe burns when his wife allegedly set him on fire during a domestic dispute in Akwa Ibom State.

The incident reportedly occurred on September 22, 2025, at the Wellington Bassey Barracks in Ibagwa, Abak Local Government Area of the state.

According to a report shared on X by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama on Tuesday, the late officer, who served as a Regimental Medical Officer with the Army’s 6 Battalion, had a heated altercation with his wife, identified as Mrs. Samson Haruna, which escalated violently.

Sources cited by Makama alleged that during the argument, the woman doused her husband with petrol and set him ablaze.

Lt. Haruna was first treated at the military medical unit within the barracks before being transferred to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, where he later died from his injuries despite efforts by medical personnel to save him.

Military sources confirmed that the suspect has been arrested and remains in custody as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Metro

Stop Using Edo Money For Federal Roads, Residents Tell Okpebholo

Published

13 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

Residents of Benin, the Edo State capital have urged Governor Monday Okpebholo to stop using money accruing to the state on federal government projects.

The residents, who frowned at the governor’s unrelenting efforts in fixing federal roads, lamented that most state-owned roads are in the state of disrepair.

According to the residents, roads in the Government Reservation Area (GRA) have failed and are not motorable, adding that several other state-owned roads have failed and are in need of urgent repairs.

An Activist and head of Talakawas Parliament, in Edo State, Kola Edokpaiyi, said it was ‘busy body’ that made Okpebholo to abandon state-owned roads that are crying for attention in favour of federal roads.

He said, “There are so many deplorable state roads in Edo State that are not motorable. We expect the Governor of Edo State to quickly give attention to them all before considering Federal Roads if the state is too rich.

“The Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi has visited federal roads in Edo State about two times to ascertain how deplorable the roads are. He has already given the brief to Mr. President. We expect the Minister to swing into action based on the huge finance allocated by Federal Government to get the work done.

“I want to appeal to His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo to address the so many state roads that are bad.”

Also, a commercial driver, who plies between Ring Road and Ebvuotubu, Joseph Ikpigho, said he spent more money to fix his car due to bad roads.

Recall that Okpebholo has embarked on reconstruction of 23 kilometres of the Sapele Road axis of the East-West road.

He is also assisting the Federal Government to fix failed portions of the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi highway.