A 12-year-old boy identified as Emiliano Egwunbare was allegedly kidnapped and killed by his 18-year-old cousin, identified as Tega Emajuwa.

The incident reportedly happened in Obagie Community, Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.

The suspect and two of his friends allegedly kidnapped their victim and collected ransom from the parents of the deceased, but didn’t release him.

The suspect had reportedly stayed with the parents of late Emiliano for a few months before carrying out the dastardly act on September 16th, 2025.

Sources said the police were involved after payment of ransom, and through due intelligence, Emajuwa was tracked down and arrested.

A police source said Emajuwa confessed to the crime one week after his arrest, adding that two of his accomplices, Edugie Destiny, aged 20, and Osayande Vincent, aged 23, were arrested.

Their confession led police to where they dumped the body of Emiliano inside a well.

Some vital organs of late Emiliano were reportedly harvested.

Deputy spokesman of the Edo Police Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident and denied allegations that the suspects have been released. 

She said the case was initially reported at the Ogida Police Division and later transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit, Benin, for discreet investigation.

“Following sustained tactical and technical intelligence, operatives of the unit arrested three suspects, Tega Emajuwa ‘m’aged 18, Edugie Destiny ‘m’ aged 20, and Osayande Vincent ‘m’ aged 23, who all made confessional statements linking them to the crime.

“Sadly, during the course of the investigation, the victim’s body was later discovered inside a well in Obagie Community.

“The remains were evacuated and deposited at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) mortuary for autopsy.

“In a viral video recently circulated on social media, the mother of the deceased alleged that the suspects have been released from Police Custody.

“The Edo State Police Command wishes to categorically state that this claim is false, misleading, and unfounded.

“The suspects remained in lawful custody until they were charged in court on 16th October 2025, where the case is currently, while they have all been remanded for prosecution.

“The said mother was of the deceased was present in court during the proceedings.”

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