By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
A Sixty-five-year-old mother and her daughter have been gruesomely murdered in their farm in Ugha village, along Benin-Ekpoma road, Uhunmwode local government area of Edo State.
The bodies of the two victims identified by police as Mrs. Victoria Omosigho and her daughter, Aiyedovie Omosigho, 39, were discovered in their farm with brutal machete cuts at about 5:45pm on August 26, 2020.
As at last weekend, fears and sorrows still pervaded Eko quarters of the community as the locals were yet to resume farming activities since the unfortunate incident occurred.
“We are devastated, heartbroken and afraid to return to our normal daily life activities.
“We do not know whether the bandits are lurking in our farms. Those who went to farm yesterday were escorted by vigilante members.
“Something urgent needs to be done to restore security. we are scared”. A resident stated.
Our investigation revealed that three suspects are now being interrogated by operatives of the homicide unit at the Edo State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCID), police command headquarters in Benin City.
It was also gathered that among the suspects is a Benue State-born laborer who lives in the victims’ house as a tenant.
He was alleged to have machetted the mother and daughter to death immediately they caught him stealing cassava in their farm.
Thereafter, the suspect allegedly returned home, padlocked his room door, sneaked out through the window and ran to a neighboring village where he was apprehended and handed over to men of Ehor police divisional headquarters.
Inside source hinted that the suspect claimed to have run away from the community to avoid being mobbed by the villagers who were pointing accusing fingers at him.
However it was further gathered that the allegations are yet to be substantiated since no one has claimed to have witnessed what actually transpired in the farm.
Confirming the brutal killing, the police Public Relations Officer in Edo State SP Chidi Nwabuzor said the case was now being investigated by the homicide unit at the command headquarters in Benin City.
Three suspects are in police custody in connection with the murder.
“About 5:45pm on August 26, 2020 a vigilante member of Ugha (name withheld by alltimepost.com) reported at Ehor police divisional headquarters, Edo State that one Victoria Omosigho, 65 with her daughter Aiyedovie Omosigho, 39 went to their farm that morning and they did not return home.
“Immediately, the police in the area and vigilante group embarked on bush combing and discovered their bodies at their farm during proper check, it was found that they were brutally machetted on their back and neck regions.
“Photos were taken and the bodies evacuated from the farm to a mortuary while investigation is ongoing”. The police spokesman explained.
SP Nwabuzor said justice would be served just as he assured residents of the community of adequate protection of lives and property.
