Edo community devt association chair arrested over alleged murder of farmer

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

A former Chairman of the outlawed Community Development Association (CDA) in Edo State, Mr. Monday Edegbe has been arrested by the police for the alleged murder of a female farmer.
He was named as an actor in the death of Mrs. Mercy Nosakhare Iserhienrhien on May 4, 2019 at Uniaro Community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of the State.
It was gathered Edegbe who other 10 suspected thugs (now at large), reportedly gave the 59-year-old woman a head-boot on her chest, which led to her death, stunning residents of the community.
A top policeman attached to the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) unit at Edo State Command confirmed his arrest and detention to newsmen yesterday in Benin.
The policeman said: “He (Edegbe) is in our custody but declined to give further details as he has no authorization.
“We are handling the case. We are not under the State Police Command, but under Force Headquarters” in Abuja.
The eldest daughter of the deceased, Mrs. Iris Nosakhare Aderemi, said her mother’s death would have been averted if the operatives if the police had responded promptly to the advice of concerned elders of the Community to check the excesses of the accused.
She recalled how a certain man who foiled her father’s abduction last year, almost lost his life during a Community School Based Management Training programme.
Unfortunately, she insisted that the police were not forthcoming in investigating the allegation.
“We reported the kidnap attempt case to AIG, State SCID and Ekiadolor police Division, but the police did not act, she alleged.
She revealed that the deceased had left Benin for Uniaro Community at the instance of the elders to discuss how to secure the release of her husband, Mr. Nosakhare Iserhienrhien Osemwegie and her eldest son – Stanley Iserhienrhien in custody in Abuja on the instigation of the said Edegbe when the tragedy struck.