Edo Teen Arrested for Killing 12-Year-Old Cousin in Alleged Ritual Murder

“An 18-year-old in Edo State has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and killing his 12-year-old cousin in a suspected ritual murder in Obagie Community.”

An 18-year-old boy, identified as Tega Emajuwa, has been arrested alongside two accomplices for allegedly kidnapping and killing his 12-year-old cousin, Emiliano Egwunbare, in what police describe as a suspected ritual murder at Obagie Community, Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.

According to reliable sources, Emajuwa — who had been living with the victim’s parents for several months — conspired with two friends, Edugie Destiny (20) and Osayande Vincent (23), to abduct young Emiliano on September 16, 2025. After allegedly collecting ransom money from the victim’s parents, the suspects reportedly failed to release the boy.

Concerned about their son’s disappearance even after the ransom payment, the family alerted the police. Following coordinated intelligence operations, detectives apprehended Emajuwa, who later confessed to the crime. His confession led to the arrest of his two alleged accomplices.

The suspects subsequently guided investigators to a well in Obagie Community, where Emiliano’s decomposing remains were recovered. Reports suggest that some of the boy’s vital organs had been removed before his body was dumped — fueling suspicions of a ritual killing.

Confirming the incident, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said the case was first handled by the Ogida Police Division before being transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit in Benin for further investigation.

“Following sustained tactical and technical intelligence, operatives of the unit arrested three suspects — Tega Emajuwa (18), Edugie Destiny (20), and Osayande Vincent (23) — who all made confessional statements linking them to the crime,” Ikoedem stated.

“Tragically, during the investigation, the victim’s body was discovered inside a well in Obagie Community. The remains were evacuated and deposited at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) mortuary for autopsy,” she added.

Reacting to a viral video claiming that the suspects had been released, ASP Ikoedem described the report as “false, misleading, and unfounded.”

“The Edo State Police Command wishes to categorically state that this claim is false, misleading, and unfounded. The suspects remained in lawful custody until they were charged to court on October 16, 2025. The case is currently ongoing, and all the accused persons have been remanded for prosecution.

The mother of the deceased was present in court during the proceedings,” she confirmed.