Suspected Ritualists Behead Fashion Designer in  Edo, Police Arrest One

A fashion designer, Lawrence Edobor, was on Friday beheaded by suspected ritualists at about 2am in Evbuotubu, Benin City.

The 43 year old was said to be coming home from a burial he attended on Thursday evening before he was murdered and beheaded, an incident which left the community in shock.

A resident, who pleaded anonymity said the deceased is a well known fashion designer who owns a shop in Eweka in Evbuotubu.

The resident said, "According to what I heard, the deceased attended a funeral ceremony earlier that night. As he walked home around 2 am, he was ambushed by a group of persona suspected to be ritualists. They attacked and killed him, severing his head from his body.

"The suspects then fled the scene, leaving the headless body on the road. While they were trying to escape, a team of Edo State Security Corps intercepted them and one of the suspect was caught with the head.

"During interrogation, the suspect abandoned the head and tried to escape again but was eventually apprehended."

The Edo State Police command Spokesperson, Moses Yamu, in a statement on Saturday, confirmed the incident and arrest of one of the suspects, Uwadiae Airebiuwa, (27 years) of Igbinudu Street, Evbuotubu Quarters, 

He noted that efforts were on  to arrest the fleeing members of the gang.

He said, "On 07/03/2025 at approximately 03:00hrs, Operatives of Evbuotubu Division alongside vigilante members, while on patrol of the area, intercepted and arrested one Uwadiae Airebiuwa, 27yrs, of Igbinudu Street, Evbuotubu Quarters, in possession of a fresh human head contained in a polythene bag.

"Upon interrogation, the suspect took them to a decapitated body of a man along the road near Eweka Shopping Plaza. 

"The deceased, later identified by a family member as Edobor Lawrence, of 1 Osagie Street, Evbuotubu Quarters, was evacuated to the hospital for preservation while investigation continues."  

While condoling with the family of the deceased, the Commissioner of Police, Betty Otimenyin, assured them and the general public that the command will not rest until all those involved in this heinous crime are brought to book. 

She further advised young persons to seek legitimate means of making money rather than venturing into crime.