A tragic incident unfolded in Igueze village, located in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, where a 56-year-old farmer, Mr. Henry Oyagbomwan, was allegedly murdered by five of his farm workers. The heinous act reportedly occurred on May 13, 2025, following the sale of farm produce.
According to police reports, Mr. Oyagbomwan had sold a consignment of pineapples valued at ₦900,000 shortly before he was killed. The suspects, believed to be his own workers, allegedly murdered him after collecting the proceeds from the sales. In a bid to conceal their crime, they reportedly buried his body in a shallow grave within the farmland.
Following the murder, the suspects initiated a deceptive ransom scheme. Posing as kidnappers, they contacted the victim’s family and demanded a ransom of ₦60 million, giving the impression that Mr. Oyagbomwan was still alive and in their custody.
However, when the family insisted on speaking with their patriarch before making any payment, the suspects reduced their demand to ₦300,000. Once the reduced amount was paid, they abruptly ceased all communication.
Disturbed by the sudden silence and suspecting foul play, the family alerted the police. Officers from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Edo State Police Command promptly launched an investigation.
Through intelligence gathering and tracking operations, they traced one of the suspects, identified as Bassey Uyong Umeh, to a remote creek in Akwa Ibom State, where he was eventually arrested.
During interrogation, Umeh reportedly confessed to the crime and led police operatives to the burial site. The decomposing body of the victim was exhumed from the shallow grave where it had been hidden since the murder.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, SP Moses Yamu, stated that investigations are ongoing and efforts are being intensified to apprehend the remaining suspects who are currently on the run.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local farming community and raised concerns about rising insecurity in rural areas.