Land tussle: Hoodlums behead 85-year old man in Edo

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

An 85-year old grand Pa identified as Goodluck Uwumaren’ogie has been reportedly beheaded by suspected hoodlums at Aruogba community, a suburb in Oredo local government area of Edo state.

The victim was shot and killed over alleged land tussle in a reprisal attack by suspected gunmen.

Late Uwumaren’ogie, assistant head of Arougba village was alone at his in-law’s residence, Irhirhi village when the attackers struck and chopped off his head, forcing some residents who witnessed the bizarre incident to flee.

It was learnt that the diseased had fled to Irhirhi after crisis broke out at Aruogba where many houses were burnt and three persons including Mr. Okoro Obaretin, youth chairman of Aruogba community were killed in a mysterious circumstance two weeks ago.

Widow of the victim, Julie, 55 said she was informed at about 5:30 that her husband has been killed.

Julie said her husband was killed over tussle for the community land.

According to her, “One Osamwonyi has earlier threatened to kill my husband before the crisis. After we ran away from the village during the crisis to seek refuge at my father’s village at Irhirhi, Osamwonyi saw him here and said he would still kill him.”

“I was called that my husband was killed brutally. He was killed because of land tussle. They have been fighting over the community land. He said my husband joined the other faction against them. People said he was shot before they cut off his head and took the head away. I hid my husband in my father’s house. Nobody was at home when it happened.”

Edo State Police spokesman, Joseph Edogiawerie, who confirmed the killing, said two suspects have been arrested.

He said the police were on the trail of the killers and said the killers left with the victim’s head.