Edo police arrest three over k!lling of two artisans mistaken for robbers

The Edo State Police Command has arrested three suspects for their involvement in the k!lling of two artisans who were mistaken for armed robbers in Benin city, the state capital.

The spokesman of the command, SP. Moses Yamu, who confirmed the incident on Monday, November 25, 2024, said the suspects, Frank Abolo, 37, Samson Odewole, 22, and Happy Ohiowere, 25, have been charged with m8rder.

“The command is aware of the incident where two young boys met their unfortunate end,” the PPRO said.

“The command commenced an investigation in that regard and immediately arrested three suspects, while two other suspects are at large. Those arrested have since been charged.”

It was gathered that the incident took place early this month in Amagba Community in the Oredo Local Government Area of the state.

The artisans identified as Osamudiamen Ehigie and Nosa Aghimie reportedly worked as welders but were mistaken for armed robbers and were beaten to d3ath by mobs in Benin.

They were said to be returning from a project site in Amagba around 6pm on the day when they ran into gunmen who had just robbed in the area.

It was gathered that the gunmen gave the duo a hot pursuit, and in the ensuing confusion, Ehigie and Aghimie ran into a house in the vicinity and hid themselves.

It was further gathered that residents in the neighbourhood who mistook the two individuals for the robbers apprehended them and beat them to d@ath.

Consequently, a police preliminary investigation exonerated the two artisans from the said crime.

The owner of the site where they went to work also reportedly affirmed their innocence.

Subsequently, the police operatives arrested three suspects alleged to have been directly involved in the lynching.