- Delta State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, disclosed this during a press briefing on Monday
Delta State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with the gruesome murder of Paulinus Okon, who was beheaded over a N30 million business deal in the Otokutu area of Delta State.
The suspects, identified as Okeimute Gaga, Efe Onoitiyi, Sunday Ikpeba, and a herbalist, Lawrence Joseph, allegedly killed Paulinus on September 8, 2024. His body was dumped in a river, while the herbalist buried his severed head at a shrine.
Delta State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, disclosed this during a press briefing on Monday, revealing that Paulinus had been reported missing before the discovery of his murder.
Investigations revealed that Efe Onoitiyi, a close friend of the victim, lured Paulinus to the Orere River, where he and his accomplices tied him to a stake and beheaded him. The crime was allegedly motivated by Efe’s misappropriation of N30 million meant for a property purchase. Instead of completing the transaction, Efe diverted the funds to acquire land and begin constructing a duplex.
After Paulinus’ disappearance, Efe initially denied involvement, even demanding N500,000 from the victim’s family for a “herbalist” to locate him. He later extorted over N20 million as a ransom under the guise that Paulinus had been kidnapped.
The case, transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Asaba, led to the arrest of Okeimute Gaga, who confessed and exposed the details of the murder. Police operatives recovered Paulinus’ skull from the herbalist’s shrine in Otokutu.
All four suspects are in police custody and will face charges as investigations continue.
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