Cousin, two others arrested for kidnapping, killing 12-year-old boy in Edo

Cousin, two others arrested for kidnapping, killing 12-year-old boy in Edo

A 12-year-old boy, Emiliano Egwunbare, has been kidnapped and murdered by his 18-year-old cousin, Tega Emajuwa, alongside two accomplices in Obagie Community, Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.

Emajuwa, who had been living with the victim’s parents for a few months before the incident, reportedly conspired with Edugie Destiny (20) and Osayande Vincent (23) to abduct Emiliano on September 16, 2025.

According to sources, the suspects demanded and collected ransom from the boy’s parents but failed to release him. When efforts to secure Emiliano’s freedom proved abortive, the family alerted the police.

Through sustained intelligence gathering, operatives tracked and arrested Emajuwa, who later confessed to the crime. His confession led to the arrest of his two accomplices and the subsequent discovery of Emiliano’s decomposing body inside a well in the community. Some vital organs of the victim were reportedly harvested.

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Confirming the incident, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said the case was first reported at the Ogida Police Division before being transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit in Benin for further investigation.

She said:

“Following sustained tactical and technical intelligence, operatives of the unit arrested three suspects — Tega Emajuwa (18), Edugie Destiny (20), and Osayande Vincent (23) — who all made confessional statements linking them to the crime. Sadly, the victim’s body was later discovered inside a well in Obagie Community. The remains were evacuated and deposited at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) mortuary for autopsy.”

ASP Ikoedem also debunked viral claims that the suspects had been released from custody.

“The allegation is false, misleading, and unfounded. The suspects remained in lawful custody until they were charged to court on October 16, 2025, and have since been remanded for prosecution. The victim’s mother was present in court during the proceedings,” she clarified.

The tragic incident has thrown Obagie Community into mourning as residents continue to express shock over the gruesome murder of the young boy by his own cousin.

Cousin, two others arrested for kidnapping, killing 12-year-old boy in Edo