A group of unknown assailants had beheaded an 85 year-old community leader in Arougba village, in Oredo local government area of Benin, Goodluck Uwumahongie,over issues alleged to be related to land dispute.
The assailants were said to have shot the man who have been alone at his in-law’s residence at Irhirhi village and cut off his head which they subsequently disappeared with.
According to reports by PM news, the deceased had fled to Irhirhi, following the crisis that trailed the alleged land tussle at Aruogba, where many houses were burnt and three persons killed.
The bereaved 55-year-old widow of the deceased simply identified as Julie said she received the news of the murder of her husband at about 5:30am on the fateful day and believed he was killed as a result of the land tussle.
She confirmed that her husband’s death was not unconnected with the crisis surrounding the community land.
She said, “One Osamwonyi has earlier threatened to kill my husband before the crisis. After we ran away from the village during the crisis to seek refuge at my father’s village at Irhirhi, Osamwonyi saw him here and said he would still kill him.”
“I was called that my husband was killed brutally. He was killed because of land tussle. They have been fighting over the community land. He said my husband joined the other faction against them. People said he was shot before they cut off his head and took the head away. I hid my husband in my father’s house. Nobody was at home when it happened.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Joseph Edogiawerie, who confirmed the killing, said two persons have been arrested in connection with the crime.
He further added that the police were making efforts to track down the perpetrators of the act.
