Tragedy struck in Igueze village, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, as a 56-year-old farmer, Henry Oyagbomwan, was murdered by five of his farm workers after he reportedly sold pineapples worth N900,000.
According to police sources, the workers allegedly collected the proceeds from the sales, killed Oyagbomwan, and buried his body in a shallow grave.
They later contacted his family, demanding a ransom of N60 million.
However, when the family insisted on speaking with their patriarch before making any payment, the suspects reduced the demand to N300,000, which was paid.
After collecting the money, they ceased all communication.
Following the incident, officers from the anti-kidnapping unit launched an investigation and tracked one of the suspects, Bassey Umeh, to a creek in Akwa Ibom State, where he was arrested.
During interrogation, Umeh reportedly confessed to the crime and led police operatives to the location where Oyagbomwan was buried.
The victim’s son, Festus Oyagbomwan, confirmed that the phone numbers of the other suspects have been switched off since the incident.
Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, stated that the investigation is ongoing and efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects.