Police arrest pastor for seven-year-old murder in Edo

On Wednesday, the Edo State Police Command arrested two suspects, Pastor Ijebor Simon (45) and Destiny Okojabhole (23), in connection with the murder of seven-year-old Evans Okojabhole.
A statement from the State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, revealed that the incident was reported by the victim’s father, John Okhojibole, who resides on Jehovah Witness Road, off Elebesunu Street in Irrua, Edo Central.
Yamu said the late Evans was sighted with his stomach ripped open, his feet severed from his ankle, and some fingers cut off and dumped in the bush close to their house 24 hours after he was reported missing.
The statement read, “The Command is in receipt of a case of murder reported by one John Okhojibole of the Jehovah Witness Road, off Elebesunu Street in Irrua.
“The unfortunate incident was reported on the 22/02/2025 at about 13:45 hours, when the remains of his seven-year-old son, Evans Okojabhole, was sighted with his stomach ripped open, his feet from his ankle and some fingers cut off and dumped in the bush close to their house at the above-named address, 24 hours after he was reported missing.
“During preliminary investigations, two suspects, Pastor Ijebor Simon (45 years) and Destiny Okojabhole (23 years), have been arrested by operatives of Irrua Divisional Headquarters and transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department Benin City for further investigation.”
Yamu also said that three persons, Ibrahim Agboje (King), Yakubu Abudulkareem and Kareem Audu, have been arrested over the killing of a vigilante commander, Victor Ogedengbe (50 years), on his farm in Erah Camp, Owan East Local Government Area.
He added, “Similarly, on 25/02/2025 at about 07:30hrs, the Chairman of Owan East LGA reported at Afuze Division that one Vigilante Commander Victor Ogedengbe (50 years) of Sarah Camp was killed in his farm by suspected herdsmen and was deposited at the hospital.
“Immediate investigation launched by operatives of the Afuze Division led to the arrest of three suspects, Ibrahim Agboje (King), Yakubu Abudulkareem and Kareem Audu all of Erah Community and equally transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department for further investigations.
“Meanwhile, the Command has reviewed the security deployment in Uzanu and environs regarding the killing of two men by suspected herdsmen while in their farms in Okpekpe Community with a view to apprehend the perpetrators and forestall reoccurrence.
“The Command under the watch of CP Betty Enekpen Otimenyin wishes to reiterate its commitments towards a safe Edo State, appreciates the support from the general public and appeals for more cooperation from the good people of the State to “See Something and say something.”