Edo police have arrested an 18-year-old, Tega Emajuwa, for kidnapping and k!lling his 12-year-old cousin.
Authorities said he and two accomplices dumped the victim’s body inside a well.
The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of an 18-year-old, Tega Emajuwa, for allegedly kidnapping and k!lling his 12-year-old cousin, Emiliano Egwunbare, in Obagie Community, Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.
According to The Nation, the incident happened on September 16, 2025. Emajuwa, who had been living with Emiliano’s parents for several months, reportedly conspired with two friends to abduct the boy. After collecting ransom from the family, the suspects failed to release him.
Following a report to the police, officers used intelligence to track down Emajuwa, who later confessed to the crime. His confession led to the arrest of two other suspects, Edugie Destiny (20) and Osayande Vincent (23). The police said the suspects took investigators to where they dumped the victim’s body inside a well.
Confirming the incident, ASP Eno Ikoedem, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer in Edo State, said the case was first reported at Ogida Police Division before being transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit in Benin City for detailed investigation.
She said:
“Following sustained tactical and technical intelligence, operatives arrested three suspects, Tega Emajuwa, Edugie Destiny, and Osayande Vincent, who all made confessional statements linking them to the crime. Sadly, during investigation, the victim’s body was discovered inside a well in Obagie Community. The remains were evacuated and taken to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital mortuary for autopsy.”
Reacting to claims on social media by the deceased’s mother that the suspects had been released, the police spokesperson dismissed the allegations as false.
“The Edo State Police Command wishes to state clearly that this claim is false, misleading, and unfounded. The suspects remained in lawful custody until they were charged to court on October 16, 2025, where the case is ongoing. They have all been remanded for prosecution, and the mother of the deceased was present in court during the proceedings,” she added.
The police assured the public that the investigation would continue until justice is served.
