Delta Police Arrest Four Over Gruesome Murder, Recover Victim’s Skull from Shrine
ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Police Command has apprehended four suspects in connection with the brutal murder of Paulinus Okon, whose skull was recovered from a shrine in Otokutu. The Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda S. Olufemi, disclosed this shocking development during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Asaba.
CP Abaniwonda narrated the tragic chain of events, which began on September 8, 2024, when Paulinus was reported missing by his brother. Investigations revealed that the victim had gone out that day with his close friend, Efe Onoitiyi, aged 30, who initially denied any involvement in his disappearance. Efe later returned to the victim’s family with a bizarre demand for ₦500,000, claiming it was for a herbalist to locate Paulinus.
The deception escalated when Efe informed the family that Paulinus had been kidnapped and extorted a ransom of ₦20,715,000 under the pretense of negotiating with the abductors. Suspicion deepened, leading to Efe’s arrest and the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba.
On November 28, 2024, CP Abaniwonda directed the DPO of Ekpan to intensify investigations. This led to the arrest of 48-year-old Okeimute Gaga, who confessed to the horrifying crime. Gaga revealed that on the night of September 8, he, Efe, Sunday Ikpeba, and a 30-year-old herbalist, Lawrence Joseph, lured Paulinus to Orere River in Otokutu, where they tied him to a stake and beheaded him alive. Paulinus’s body was disposed of in the river, while his head was buried at Lawrence Joseph’s shrine.
Police operatives, led by the DPO Ekpan, exhumed the victim’s skull from the shrine during a raid. Interrogations uncovered the motive behind the gruesome act: Efe had swindled Paulinus of ₦30,000,000, meant for the purchase of a building. Instead, Efe diverted the funds to buy land and construct a duplex for himself. Fearing exposure, he conspired with the others to kill his friend.
“All four suspects, including the herbalist, are in custody and will face the full wrath of the law,” CP Abaniwonda stated. He assured the public of the Command’s dedication to justice, describing the crime as deeply disturbing and a reminder of the need for vigilance against betrayal.
The Commissioner extended his gratitude to the investigative teams and reiterated the Command’s commitment to upholding law and order in Delta State.
