How farmer was abducted, killed in Edo

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested four suspects in connection with the alleged kidnapping and murder of a pineapple farmer, Edafe Oghenekome, in Edo State. The suspects—identified as Abdulsalam Mohammadu (21), Nasiru Yau (24), Gambo Lawal, and Kehinde Adetunji (45)—reportedly kidnapped the deceased along with his sister, Favour Ighasa, from their residence […]

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested four suspects in connection with the alleged kidnapping and murder of a pineapple farmer, Edafe Oghenekome, in Edo State.

The suspects—identified as Abdulsalam Mohammadu (21), Nasiru Yau (24), Gambo Lawal, and Kehinde Adetunji (45)—reportedly kidnapped the deceased along with his sister, Favour Ighasa, from their residence at Utese Village in the Ovia South-West Local Government Area.

It was gathered that one of the suspects, Adetunji, a local hunter and close associate of the deceased, allegedly masterminded the abduction after the victim sold a truckload of pineapples for approximately N2 million.

The suspects reportedly opened ransom negotiations and collected N2 million and subsequently released Favour on February 9, 2026. 

However, the suspects allegedly killed Edafe Oghenekome after he identified the local hunter as one of his abductors during the sharing of the ransom.

The command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, who confirmed the incident, said the suspects were arrested following a sustained investigation. According to Ikoedem, the victims were abducted on February 4, 2026. While Favour regained her freedom five days later, the abductors ceased all communication regarding Edafe’s release.

She said the investigation led to the arrest of Abdulsalam Mohammadu, who implicated Kehinde Adetunji as the syndicate’s local “pointer” and Nasiru Yau as the individual responsible for bringing food to the kidnappers in the bush.

According to her, the suspects had since confessed to their involvement in the kidnapping, the ransom collection, and the murder of Oghenekome.

 The hunter led operatives to the spot in the bush where the deceased was buried, the command said.

Two AK-47 rifles and three Dane guns were reportedly recovered from the suspects. 

The police spokeswoman said the command has intensified efforts to apprehend fleeing members of the syndicate, who remain at large.