Delta Police Arrest Man for Killing Best Friend Over N50 Million Fraud

In a chilling twist, a 48-year-old man, Efe Onoetiyi, has been arrested by the Delta State Police Command for the brutal murder of his best friend, Paulinus Okon, after defrauding him of over N50 million. The arrest follows an intense investigation that uncovered a web of lies and betrayal between the two men.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Abaniwonda Olufemi, revealed the shocking details of the case during a press briefing on Monday. “This is a particularly painful case,” Olufemi began. “It involves the murder of one Paulinus Okon by his close friend, Efe Onoetiyi.”

Paulinus Okon was reported missing on September 8, 2024, by his brother after he went out with his friend Efe. However, Efe initially denied any involvement in the disappearance. He even visited the Okon family, pretending to be concerned about his friend’s whereabouts.

As the days passed, Efe’s behavior became increasingly suspicious. He demanded N500,000 from Paulinus’s brother, claiming it would be used to hire a herbalist to help locate Paulinus. A short time later, Efe claimed that Paulinus had been kidnapped and went on to collect a ransom of approximately N20.7 million, further deepening the mystery.

Suspicion surrounding Efe grew, and as the investigation intensified, police transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department. A breakthrough came when Okeimute Gaga, 48, was arrested after an intelligence-led probe. Gaga confessed to his role in the crime and revealed the horrifying details of the murder.

Gaga explained how Efe, along with him and two others—Sunday Ikpeba and herbalist Lawrence Joseph—lured Paulinus to the Orere River in Otokutu on the night of September 8, 2024. There, they tied him to a stake and beheaded him before dumping his body into the river. The herbalist then took the victim’s head and buried it at his shrine.

During interrogation, Efe explained his motives for the murder. According to Commissioner Olufemi, Efe revealed that he had convinced Paulinus to invest N30 million in a property deal. However, instead of purchasing the house as promised, Efe diverted the money for personal use, buying land and constructing a duplex for himself.

Fearing the consequences of his deception, Efe confessed that he saw no way to explain his actions to Paulinus. In a shocking act of betrayal, he decided that killing his friend would be the only way to avoid facing the truth.

All four suspects involved in the murder have been arrested and have confessed to their roles in the crime. The victim’s head, which was allegedly used in a sacrificial ritual to the gods of the community, was recovered from the herbalist’s shrine.

Commissioner Olufemi urged the public to remain vigilant, especially during the festive season, and warned about the importance of choosing friends wisely. He lamented that some parents are failing to properly raise their children, especially boys, who may fall prey to harmful influences.

The case serves as a tragic reminder of the lengths to which some individuals will go for personal gain. As investigations continue, the Delta State Police Command has vowed to bring all involved to justice. The community is left shaken by the brutal murder of a man who trusted his best friend, only to become the victim of a horrifying betrayal.

“Grief and Survival: The Human Toll of Okija’s Deadly Stampede

The peaceful community of Okija, in Anambra State, was thrown into mourning on Saturday as a stampede at a charity event claimed the lives of no fewer than 22 people. The incident, which occurred at the Obijackson Centre in the Amanranta area, saw middle-aged women, the elderly, and children trampled in a desperate rush to collect palliatives.

The charity event, an annual initiative known for distributing 25kg bags of rice, vegetable oil, and cash, turned tragic when a massive crowd surged at the venue’s gate. Witnesses reported that impatience among attendees and inadequate crowd control contributed to the chaos.

A Husband’s Heartbreaking Loss

Uchenna Nwaudo, whose wife was among the deceased, shared his grief and disbelief over the loss. “I warned my wife not to go because our baby wasn’t feeling well,” he lamented. “I was at work when I got the call that she had been trampled upon. I rushed to the scene only to find her lifeless body, with our baby still strapped to her back. Miraculously, the baby survived.”

Overwhelmed by the chaos at the scene, Nwaudo could only retrieve his child and leave. Later, he identified his wife’s body at the mortuary and began arrangements for her burial.

Accounts from Survivors and Witnesses

One survivor, Ngozi, described the harrowing experience: “The crowd pushed, and I fell. People trampled on me. I couldn’t breathe and thought I wouldn’t survive. By God’s grace, I woke up in the hospital.”

Eyewitness Nnamdi Uzor recounted seeing lifeless bodies and belongings scattered at the venue. “A woman lay lifeless with her baby strapped on her back, but the child survived. It was heartbreaking,” he said.

Uju Udoka, a relative of another victim, shared her sorrow: “My sister, a nursing mother, went to collect the palliatives but never returned. It’s devastating for the family.”

Community Reaction

Dr. Paul Isioma Ohaguim, President-General of the Okija Progressives Union, expressed the community’s shock. “It’s a tragic and unfortunate incident. We’re working to confirm the casualty figures, but the loss is deeply felt,” he said.

While the organizers of the charity event have expressed regret, many, including Nwaudo, refrained from blaming them entirely. “This is a gesture they’ve done for years to help the community. The tragedy stemmed from impatience and the inability to manage the large crowd effectively,” Nwaudo noted.

A Reminder of the Need for Safety

The tragedy at Okija serves as a grim reminder of the need for stringent crowd management and safety measures during large gatherings. As the community grieves, questions remain about how such incidents can be prevented in the future.

NASRE Demands Action as Food Stampede Tragedies Expose Systemic Failures”