The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old pastor, Ijebor Simon, and a 23-year-old man, Destiny Okojabhole, for the alleged murder of a seven-year-old boy, Evans Okojabhole, in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area.
Police spokesman Moses Yamu confirmed the arrests in a statement issued in Benin City on Wednesday.
According to Yamu, the case was reported to the Irrua Divisional Headquarters by John Okhojibole, a resident of Jehovah Witness Road, off Elebesunu Street, Irrua.
Okhojibole reported the disappearance of his son, Evans, whose mutilated body was later found in a nearby bush.
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“The remains of the child were discovered with his stomach ripped open, feet cut off, and dumped close to the family house, 24 hours after he was declared missing,” Yamu stated.
Following preliminary investigations, operatives from the Irrua Divisional Headquarters arrested the two suspects.
The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department in Benin City for further inquiries.
Authorities have yet to confirm the motive behind the gruesome killing, but investigations are ongoing.