The Delta State Police Command has arrested one Mr. Efe Onoetiyi for the gruesome murder of his best friend, Paulinus Okon, after misappropriating over N30 million from the deceased.
Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, revealed the details during a press briefing on Monday, where Onoetiyi and four accomplices were paraded.
Describing Onoetiyi’s case as particularly painful, the CP told journalists, “Paulinus was reported missing on September 8, 2024, by his brother after he went out with his friend Efe Onoitiyi, 30.
The suspect, Efe Onoitiyi, who initially denied knowing what happened to Paulinus came to Paulinus’s house to ask his family about him.
“He was confronted that the deceased went out with him on that same date which he denied that the deceased did not go out with him. On a later date, Efe came back and demanded N500,000 from the deceased’s brother that he would use the money to pay a herbalist who could tell them Paulinus’s whereabouts.
“Efe again came and informed the family that Paulinus was kidnapped and he collected a ransom of about N20,715,000 from the deceased brother claiming that he was in touch with the kidnappers.
“When it became obvious that Efe had something to hide, he was arrested and the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, State Headquarters Asaba.
“On November 28 2024, I directed the DPO Ekpan to take over the case and ensure that a discrete investigation was carried out to fish out those responsible, as the main suspect, Efe, was not yielding.”
The case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, where further investigation led to the arrest of one Okeimute Gaga. Gaga confessed that Onoetiyi, along with accomplices—Sunday Ikpeba and Lawrence Joseph, a herbalist—lured Paulinus to Orere River in Otokutu, where they bound him to a stake and beheaded him on the night of September 8, 2024.
He added, “His body was thrown into the River while the herbalist took the head of Paulinus and buried him at his shrine in Otokutu. The DPO, Ekpan Police station, led police operatives to the shrine in Otokutu where the skull of Paulinus was exhumed and recovered.”
During interrogation, Efe admitted to the murder, revealing that he diverted N30 million Paulinus gave him to buy a house for personal projects, including purchasing two lands and building a duplex.
He added that he masterminded Paulinus’ murder to cover up the misappropriation of the N30m.
The CP also disclosed that the suspects, including the herbalist, are in custody, with all confessing to their roles in the crime.
Lamenting the incident, Olufemi urged the public to be vigilant about their associations, especially during the festive season. He also expressed concern over poor parenting, particularly the lack of focus on raising male children.
In a chilling conclusion, the suspects admitted they had sacrificed Paulinus’s head to the gods of the community.
