The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 42-year-old commercial bus driver, Osabuohien Ogieva, for allegedly killing his girlfriend, Joy Jerome, and dumping her body near the Ikpe River in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state.
Police said the suspect allegedly struck the victim with a stick during a disagreement while conveying her in his bus on January 9, 2026, leaving her unconscious. She was reportedly rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
According to investigators, Ogieva allegedly removed the corpse from the hospital and later abandoned it near Ikpe River along the Benin–Abraka highway before going into hiding.
The body was discovered on January 10, 2026, after residents of Ikpe community raised an alarm over a corpse dumped near the river.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Eno Ikoedem, said operatives of the Idogbo Police Division responded to the distress call, evacuated the body and deposited it at the Stella Obasanjo Mortuary after confirmation of death.
Ikoedem said investigations revealed that the deceased, a resident of the Upper Sakponba area of Benin City, was in a romantic relationship with the suspect.
She added that the suspect was later tracked and arrested at his hideout, where he confessed to the assault and admitted dumping the body by the river.
The police spokesperson further disclosed that after the incident, Ogieva contacted the victim’s family and falsely claimed he had not seen her for several days.
She said the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
