Metro

Police Begin Probe Into Death Of Hotel Worker In Edo

Published

1 year ago

August 11, 2024

The Edo State Police Command has announced that an investigation is underway into the mysterious death of Fidelis Osaghae in the Auchi area of Edo State.

Fidelis, an employee of Valchi Fast Food and Bar, is reported to have died under questionable circumstances on Monday, 29 July 2024, after allegedly being summoned by his employer, Valentine Oyemike, in the early hours of the morning.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Joel, informed our correspondent on Saturday that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department.

“The case has been transferred to the homicide section of the SCID for investigation. It is a case of murder, not theft. Therefore, a comprehensive investigation is necessary. The outcome will be made public as soon as it is concluded.”

The deceased’s wife, Esther, has called for an investigation into her husband’s suspicious death.

Speaking to our correspondent last Tuesday, the nursing mother said she grew concerned when she woke up around 5 am and discovered that he had not returned from work.
She said, “My husband went to work on Sunday, 28 July.

While at work in the early hours of Monday, 29 July 2024, he called me on a video call at about 1:30 am. It is his usual practice to video call me if he is delayed in returning home.

He later rushed home at 2:30 am and told me his boss had asked him to bring ‘something’ back to work. He then left and returned to work around 2:30 am, saying he would be back soon. When it was about 5 am, I woke up and realised he had not returned. I started calling his phone but could not reach him.”

She later claimed to have contacted the supervisor at the facility, who assured her that everything was under control and ended the call. Esther added that Mr. Valentine later called her to come to the hospital.

“Several attempts to reach the supervisor to find out what happened to my husband were unsuccessful as she no longer answered her calls. Later that morning, around 6 am, I received a call from Mr. Valentine, who told me to come to Favour Hospital, Afasho, Edo State. I asked him if there was a problem, but he assured me that all was well with my husband. Since I am a nursing mother, my elder sister went to the hospital on my behalf.”

Esther said that upon arriving at the hospital, her sister found her husband’s body in Mr. Valentine’s car.

She added that the hospital later informed her that her husband’s corpse was rejected because it was brought in dead.

She also noted that she and her sister observed strange marks and injuries on the deceased’s body, which may have been a result of torture and pain inflicted before his death.

In a petition titled “Request for Investigation into the Death of Mr. Fidelis Osaghae on 29 July 2024 in Edo State,” filed by the Akin Fadeyi Foundation on behalf of the deceased’s wife, the Inspector-General of Police is urged to investigate her husband’s death.

Signed by the Executive Director, Akin Fadeyi, the foundation alleged that the local police division in Auchi has shown a lack of willingness to investigate the matter thoroughly and has already exonerated Mr. Valentine, who is reportedly an influential person in the area.

“The circumstances surrounding Mr. Fidelis’ death are suspicious, and we strongly believe that he was in the custody of Mr. Oyemike Valentine until his death.

“We are unable to place our confidence in the investigation by the Auchi division due to concerns of interference and compromise,” the petition partly read.

The foundation also claimed that the police have failed to take necessary actions to address the suspicious homicide, raising concerns of police complicity and cover-up.

“We acknowledge the presumption of innocence until proven guilty before the law in Nigeria. However, the circumstances surrounding Mr. Fidelis’ death demand a thorough investigation,” said Fadeyi.

He added that the IGP has acknowledged receipt of the petition and is expected to order a swift and comprehensive investigation into the matter.

When contacted, Valentine declined to comment, stating that he had been invited by the police.

He said, “I cannot make any comment. I have been invited by the police, and that is where I am going now. Thanks.”

Metro

Two Brothers Miraculously Escape From Kidnappers’ Den In Edo

Published

1 day ago

November 10, 2025

Editor

Two brothers, identified as Isaac and Victor Olayere, who were kidnapped on November 8 along Adughe and Imoga Road have miraculously escaped from kidnappers’ den.

The two brothers were taken into the bush as soon as they were kidnapped, throwing Uma/Imoga community into confusion, as the kidnappers demanded N22 million ransom.

While the community was still at a loss over how to raise the ransom, the victims called their father with an unknown number, telling him they had escaped from the kidnappers den.

The Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Obajoye revealed this during a telephone interview.

He called on the authorities to come to the rescue of Imoga, a town he said, shares border with Ondo and Kogi, thereby making it prone to kidnapping activities.

He said, “The two brothers were kidnapped on November 8 along Adughe and Imoga Road and were taken into the bush.

“Later, the kidnappers reached out to the family and demanded a ransom of N22 million, throwing the ancient community of Uma/Imoga in Akoko Edo Local Government Area, Edo State.

“I swiftly reported the incident to the Ibillo Police Station with the hope that the rescue effort will lead to the release of the brothers.

“It was said that somehow, the kidnappers suddenly went into a deep slumber in the forest, enabling their victims to escape. They were found by the vigilante of Adughe, a neighbouring community in Kogi that speaks the same Okpameri language with Uma/Imoga in Akoko Edo.

“The vigilantes called Imoga people and the youth mobilised and entered the forest, but they could not see the kidnappers who had woken up after their captives had escaped and fled.

He noted that the activities of kidnappers and armed herders have become a major problem in the community, urging the authorities to create a police post in the area.

He added, “We need police presence in Imoga. If a police post is created here, the officers will patrol the community which will give the resident rest of mind.

“Imoga is the largest village in Akoko Edo, particularly in terms of land mass, into which many herders have entered en masse. It is the link between Edo State and the northern part of the country.”

Metro

NDLEA Arrests 39 Suspects With 2,477.59kg In Edo

Published

1 day ago

November 10, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, have arrested thirty-nine (39) suspected drug traffickers with 2,477.59 Kg of narcotic drugs.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, state commander of the NDLEA made this known in a statement titled: operational scorecard for October 2025, which he made available to newsmen in Benin on Monday.

According to the statement, the suspects consist of twenty-seven (27) males and twelve (12) females.

The statement added that, within the period under review, three cannabis sativa farms measuring 6.711192 hectares with an estimated yield of 16,777.98 kg were also destroyed.

A breakdown of the total 2,477.59 kg of seized drugs indicates that Cannabis Sativa 2,476.87 kg; Tramadol 0.3575 kg; Nitrazepam 0.068 kg; Bromazepam 0.8141 kg; Diazepam 0.084 kg; Swinol 0.0036 kg; Danabol (Molly) 0.013 kg; Methamphetamine (abandoned) 0.0465 kg and Codeine Syrup 0.1 litre.

According to the statement, three cannabis farms located in the Ugbodo Forest of Ovia North East Local Government Area, covering an area of 6.71 hectares, with an estimated yield of 16,777.98 kg of illegal crops, were eliminated.

The command’s prosecution unit also made significant strides in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking.

“October saw the conviction of eleven individuals involved in drug-related offences and eleven new cases charged in the courts. Currently, there are 121 pending cases at the Federal High Court in Benin City.

“Our commitment remains steadfast as we continue to enforce the law, educate members of the public, and rehabilitate affected individuals who have problems using drugs.

“The fight against drug trafficking is relentless, and those who continue to engage in this illegal trade will face not only heightened enforcement but also stiffer penalties,” the statement reads.

Metro

Police Rescue Stolen Boy, Arrest Six Over Child Trafficking In Anambra

Published

2 days ago

November 10, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Police Command has rescued a three-year-old boy who was stolen in the state and arrested six members of a child-stealing and trafficking syndicate operating across Anambra, Enugu, and Lagos states.

A statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said that on September 4, following a petition from the victim, operatives attached to the Gender Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, began an investigation into the case.

Ikenga explained that the petition detailed how the complainant’s daughter had left her three-year-old son in the care of one Samuel Ibe of Umusiome, Nkpor Uno, while she briefly went to her shop.

“On her return, both the child and the said Samuel were missing. Swift investigative actions by the operatives led to the arrest of the said Samuel Ibe. His confessional statement subsequently led to the arrest of his mother, Agatha Ejeweh, 35, and his younger brother, Ejeweh Chigozie Chidera, 15,” he said.

He further disclosed that operatives extended their investigation to Enugu State, where one Angela Eze, 30, was apprehended for collaborating with Juliet Onah to facilitate the transfer of the stolen child to Lagos.

“Acting on credible intelligence, the operatives proceeded to Lagos State, where a suspect, China Cosmas, was arrested and the stolen child was successfully rescued. The child has since been reunited with his family in good health,” Ikenga added.

He confirmed that the suspects involved in the crime are currently in custody and will be charged in court upon completion of investigations.

Ikenga reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, warning that criminal elements should not consider Anambra State a safe haven for any form of criminal enterprise.