Widows Seek Intervention in Alleged Extrajudicial Killing Case in Edo State

Two widows, Joy Azuka and Favour Azuka, have publicly appealed to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo to intervene in the ongoing investigation into the death of their husband, Sunday Azuka. The women, who staged a protest at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat in Edo State on October 30, 2026, allege that their husband and two others were killed and buried alive in the Obagie N’ Evbousa community in November 2024.

Allegations of Violence and Impunity

According to the widows, Sunday Azuka, a bricklayer, was working in the Obagie community when he was attacked. Favour Azuka stated that she was alerted to the incident by a witness who claimed that armed men had killed the workers. She further alleged that a police officer who accompanied the family to the scene to assist with arrests was shot and severely injured during the encounter.

The widows have accused individuals allegedly loyal to a local figure, Uyi Igiebor, of orchestrating the violence. Joy Azuka claimed that the family rejected a N500,000 compensation offer from a suspect, viewing it as an attempt to evade justice. They further alleged that there have been attempts by influential figures to secure the release of suspects currently in custody, and expressed frustration over difficulties in meeting with state security officials to discuss the case.

Official Response and Conflicting Accounts

Paul Akhere, the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Okpebholo, acknowledged being familiar with the incident when contacted by the Daily Post. Akhere stated that the violence was linked to a leadership dispute regarding the position of youth chairman in the community.

Regarding the status of the investigation and compensation, Akhere noted that Uyi Igiebor had been arrested, though he stated the suspect has denied involvement in the killing. Akhere also mentioned that an agreement had been reached for N2 million in compensation to support the deceased’s children, of which he reported having paid N800,000. He further indicated that recent information suggests another individual may have provided a confessional statement regarding the incident.

Impact on the Family

The widows emphasized the severe personal toll of the incident, noting that their husband left behind two young sons, aged 6 and 7. Favour Azuka reported that the children have been unable to continue their education since the death of their father. As of the time of reporting, the family continues to call for a transparent prosecution of those responsible for the alleged crimes.

Note: This report is based on accounts provided by the Daily Post. Information regarding the specific legal status of all suspects and the full details of the ongoing police investigation remains limited.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Daily Post Nigeria

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