Edo police arrest 31-year-old man over murder of young lady found in shallow grave

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 31-year-old man, Joshua Osaigbovo, in connection with the gruesome murder of a young woman, Osato Festus, whose body was found buried in a shallow grave in the Iyanomon community, located in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state.

According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, the arrest was made following a missing person report lodged by the victim’s mother, Mrs. Ojo, on April 25, 2025.

Mrs. Ojo had alerted the police after her daughter failed to return home and all efforts to reach her proved abortive. The case prompted an intensive investigation by the police, which eventually led them to the suspect, Joshua Osaigbovo.

“Following a case of a missing person reported on 25th April, 2025 at Aduwawa Division, by Mrs Ojo that her daughter Osato Festus Edogiaweria 21yrs left home on 20th April, 2025 in company of her friend and has not been heard from since then,” the statement read.

The case was subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further inquiries.

“Demonstrating the Command’s resolve to rid the state of all forms of crime and criminality, Operatives of the Family Unit through painstaking investigation and technical intelligence, arrested one Joshua Osaigbovo 31yrs, a resident of Iyanomon community in Ikpoba-Okha LGA in connection with the crime on 18th June, 2025,” the statement continued.

During interrogation, police said the suspect confessed to inviting the deceased to his residence on April 27, 2025, where an altercation reportedly occurred.

“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to having invited the said Osato Festus (now deceased) to his residence on 27th April, 2025 and in the course of their stay had an altercation that led to a fight where the deceased fell, hit her head on the ground and died. He further confessed that he took the dead body of the lady in a wheel barrow to a bush nearby, dug and buried her in a shallow grave a few meters away from his residence.”

On June 20, 2025, Osaigbovo led police operatives to the location where the victim’s remains were exhumed.

“The suspect 20th June, 2025 led Operatives of the Command to the shallow grave at Iyanomon community where the remains of the girl was exhumed following all necessary procedures,” the statement said.

The police spokesperson added that the suspect will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
“Suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.”