Police parade man who allegedly beheaded friend whose head was sacrificed to idols
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Police in Delta have arrested one Efe Onoetiyi, 48, for killing his best friend, Paulinus Okon, after collecting more than N50 million from the deceased in a property deal.
State Commissioner of Police Abaniwonda Olufemi recounted the details when he paraded Onoetiyi and four other murder suspects before reporters in Asaba.
“I welcome you to this briefing which is particularly painful. It involves the murder of one Paulinus Okon by his bosom friend, one Efe Onoetiyi,” he began.
“Paulinus was reported missing on September 8, 2024 by his brother after he went out with his friend, Efe Onoitiyi, 30. The suspect, Efe Onoitiyi, who initially denied knowing what happened to Paulinus, came to the victim’s house to asked his family about him.
“He was confronted that the deceased went out with him on that same date [but] he denied that the deceased did not go out with him. On a later date, Efe came back and demanded N500,000 from the deceased’s brother that he would use the money to pay a herbalist who could tell them Paulinus’s whereabouts.
“Efe again came and informed the family that Paulinus was kidnapped and he collected a ransom of about N20,715,000 from the deceased’s brother claiming that he was in touch with the kidnappers.
“When it became obvious that Efe had something to hide, he was arrested and the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department State Headquarters Asaba.
“On November 28 2024, I directed DPO Ekpan to take over the case and ensure that a discrete investigation was carried out to fish out those responsible as the main suspect, Efe, was not yielding.
“DPO Ekpan carried out an intelligence-led investigation that indicted one Okeimute Gaga, 48. Upon his arrest, Okeimute Gaga opened up and confessed that he could no longer hide what happened.
“Okeimute Gaga narrated how Efe brought Paulinus to Orere River in Otokutu and requested that they kill him. The suspect further stated that on September 8, 2024, himself, Efe and Sunday Ikpeba, and a 30-year-old herbalist, Lawrence Joseph, tied Paulinus Okon to a stake at night close to Orere River and beheaded him.
“His body was thrown into the River while the herbalist took his head and buried him at his shrine in Otokutu. DPO Ekpan Police Station led operatives to the shrine in Otokutu where the skull of Paulinus was exhumed and recovered.”
Olufemi said during interrogation, Efe was asked why he killed his friend Paulinus.
“Efe stated that he saw a building for sale at N30 million, which he advertised to the deceased and the deceased paid N30 million in three instalments, but instead of buying the house, he diverted the money for his personal use, bought two lands and was building a duplex for himself.
“He further stated that he did not know how to explain to the deceased that he had used his money hence he decided that killing him would save him the trouble. Efe and the three other suspects are in custody.”
Olufemi urged members of the public to be vigilant especially this season about the friends they keep, lamenting that parents are no longer taking the upbringing of their children, especially boy children, seriously.
The suspects all confessed to the crime and said the victim’s head was sacrificed to the gods of the community.
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