The Edo State Police Command has apprehended a local vigilante operative for allegedly shooting an artisan to death and setting his corpse on fire in Benin City.
The Command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Sunday, revealing that officers from the Textile Mill Road Police Division responded to a distress call from residents around 8 a.m. on February 20, 2025.
According to Yamu, locals alerted the police after discovering a burning body covered with sawdust near a sawmill. Upon arrival, officers found the corpse of a middle-aged man with a gunshot wound on the back of his neck.
“The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) mobilized operatives to the scene, where they recovered the corpse and transported it to the hospital. Further examination revealed a gunshot injury on the back of the deceased’s neck,” Yamu said.
Preliminary investigations led to the arrest of a security operative assigned to the sawmill, who is suspected of involvement in the crime. The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further probe.
Reports indicate that the victim, Lasan Osaze Erhabor, had a previous disagreement with the vigilante member. On the night of the incident, Erhabor and a friend were returning home late when they encountered the suspect near the sawmill.
The vigilante, allegedly armed with a double-barrel gun, reportedly questioned Erhabor about his movement at that hour and accused him of attempting to steal from the sawmill.
During the confrontation, the suspect allegedly shot Erhabor, dragged his body into the sawmill, and set it on fire using sawdust.
The Edo Police Command has assured that the suspect will be charged to court for murder once investigations are concluded.
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