A 12-year-old boy, Emiliano Egwunbare, was reportedly kidnapped and murdered by his 18-year-old cousin, Tega Emajuwa, in Obagie Community, Egor Local Government Area.
According to police reports, Emajuwa and two accomplices, Edugie Destiny (20) and Osayande Vincent (23), abducted Emiliano and demanded ransom from his parents. Despite paying the ransom, Emiliano was not released. The suspects had reportedly been staying with the boy’s family for a few months before the brutal act on September 16, 2025.
Police sources disclosed that after the ransom was paid, intelligence operations led to the arrest of Emajuwa and his partners. During interrogation, Emajuwa confessed to the crime, revealing that the boy’s body was dumped inside a well in Obagie. Disturbingly, reports indicate that some vital organs of Emiliano were harvested, raising fears of ritualistic motives behind the heinous act.
Deputy Police Spokesman ASP Eno Ikoedem confirmed the arrests and clarified that the suspects have not been released. She emphasized that the case was transferred from Ogida Police Division to the Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit in Benin for detailed investigation. The suspects are currently in lawful custody, having appeared in court on October 16, 2025, and are now awaiting prosecution.
The mother of Emiliano, who initially claimed the suspects had been released, appeared in court during the proceedings. Police have dismissed her claims as false and urged the public to rely on verified information.
This tragic incident has once again cast a shadow over Edo’s security landscape, prompting calls for increased vigilance and swift justice for Emiliano and his family. The authorities have assured that they are committed to ensuring that justice prevails in this dark chapter of Edo’s history.
