The Edo State Police Command has apprehended a local vigilante member in Benin City for allegedly killing an artisan and setting his body on fire.
The State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, confirmed the arrest on Sunday in Benin City.
Yamu stated that officers from the Textile Mill Road Division responded to a distress call from concerned residents at approximately 8 a.m. on February 20, 2025.
He explained that the Division’s DPO was alerted by members of the public who discovered the charred remains of a middle-aged man beneath a heap of sawdust.
“The DPO mobilised and deployed his operatives to the scene and actually found the corpse burning under the sawdust.
“They took the corpse to the hospital, but, they, however, found that there was a gunshot injury on the back of the deceased’s neck.
“Investigation has already commenced, and we have one suspect in our custody who is the security person of the sawmill at the time the incident happened,” Yamu stated.
He further disclosed that the case has been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department for thorough inquiries, assuring that upon completion, the suspect would be charged with murder.
It was learnt that the victim, identified as Lasan Osaze Erhabor, allegedly had a disagreement with the vigilante member prior to the tragic incident.
On the night of the incident, Erhabor and a friend were reportedly on their way home when they encountered the suspect near the sawmill.
Armed with a double-barrel gun, the suspect allegedly confronted Erhabor, questioning why he was out so late.
He was said to have accused the artisan of being a thief and attempting to steal from the sawmill.
During the confrontation, the suspect allegedly shot Erhabor dead before dragging his body into the sawmill, covering it with sawdust, and setting it ablaze.
