Police Arrest Man for Allegedly Killing 21-Year-Old Girl and Burying Her in Shallow Grave in Benin

Tragedy in Benin: Man Arrested for Killing 21-Year-Old Girl and Burying Her in Shallow Grave

A dark cloud has settled over Benin City following the arrest of a 31-year-old man, Joshua Osaigbovo, for the alleged killing of a young woman, Osato Festus Edogiaweria, whose body was discovered in a shallow grave just a few steps from the suspect’s home.

According to a NewsVista reporter, the Edo State Police Command confirmed that Osato had been declared missing since April 25, 2025. Her mother, Mrs. Ojo, grew anxious after her daughter failed to return home for five days. She promptly reported the case to the Aduwawa Police Station, and it was later escalated to the State Criminal Investigations Department.

After weeks of painstaking work and persistent follow-up by the Family Unit of the police, the breakthrough finally came. Joshua was arrested on June 18, in the Iyanomon community under Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.

Upon interrogation, Joshua confessed. He admitted that Osato had visited him on April 27, but during the visit, an argument broke out. In the heat of the moment, Osato reportedly fell and hit her head. She died instantly, according to the suspect.

Rather than call the police or seek help, Joshua took matters into his own hands in a way that has shocked the entire community. He placed her body in a wheelbarrow, wheeled her into the bush behind his house, dug a shallow grave, and buried her in secret—hoping no one would ever find out.

But his secret didn’t last.

Just two days after his arrest, on June 20, he led police operatives to the exact spot where he had buried Osato. Her remains were exhumed in the presence of law enforcement, and her phone was also recovered from him.

Police spokesperson CSP Moses Yamu assured the public that the suspect will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.

The heartbreaking news has left many in Benin reeling. Osato was just 21 years old. She had dreams, a future, and a life that was stolen in the most chilling way. Her mother is now left with unbearable grief. Friends and neighbors are struggling to understand how something so horrific could happen so close to home.

According to a NewsVista source, the case has sparked widespread discussions on safety, trust, and the risks involved in visiting people we don’t fully know. Many are also calling for tougher penalties for offenders and quicker justice for victims.

The police are using this opportunity to urge the public to report any suspicious behavior or disappearance promptly. “Evil hides in silence,” one officer said.

Osato’s story is a painful reminder that not everyone we meet—or live near—can be trusted. Her death is not just a tragedy; it is a warning.

Do you believe justice will be served in this case? Should Nigeria do more to protect young women from falling into dangerous hands?

Share your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s keep her memory alive by speaking out—and demanding justice.

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