The Edo State Police Command has arrested eight suspects in connection with the killing of a speech-impaired man, Efe Ogbeide, during the Obazagbon community crisis in Oredo Local Government Area.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, the main suspect, Joshua Edo, 50, is the youth chairman of the Obazagbon community. Other suspects arrested include Obayuwana Happy (25), Uhunwangho Everest (52), Chidera Umeh (21), Simon Benjamin (39), Odion Adagbonyin (43), Kennedy Ohro (42), and Osayi Adagbonyin (41).
The suspects were arrested by operatives from the Iyekogba Division’s Divisional Police Officer at different times and locations. It is alleged that these individuals actively participated in the violence that led to the death of Ogbeide and the destruction of property worth millions of naira.
The conflict stemmed from a leadership dispute in Obazagbon over who should be the chairman and the Okiaghele of the community. The violence led to several innocent deaths, including that of Efe Ogbeide, a site engineer who was speech-impaired. According to reports, Ogbeide was unable to hear the alarm raised by invaders, making him a vulnerable target.
The police also highlighted the efforts of the Divisional Police Officer of Iyekogba Division, who led operatives of Operation Rescue and Anti-Kidnapping to apprehend the suspects involved.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Betty Enekpen Isokpan, expressed her commitment to ensuring that those responsible for the killing are brought to justice. She reiterated the police force’s commitment to protecting lives and property across Edo State.
On March 5, 2025, organizations such as the Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disability and the Edo State Civil Society Organisations (EDOSCO) held protests against the murder, condemning the brutality of the act. Barr Omasah Melody, Executive Director of the Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disability, led the protest, highlighting the victim’s vulnerability due to his disability.
