Man arrested over killing of 10-year-old Delta girl

The Delta State Police Command has apprehended a 20-year-old man, identified as Precious, for his alleged role in the killing of a 10-year-old girl in the Orhoakpo Ethiope East area of the state.

PUNCH Metro learnt from a video posted on X.com by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, on Monday that the incident occurred on January 9.

Edafe revealed that Precious confessed to kidnapping the girl for two unidentified men, who allegedly macheted her to death after promising him N200,000.

The police spokesperson explained that Precious’ girlfriend, who is the sister of the deceased, raised the alarm after discovering her sibling was missing.

Edafe said the girlfriend initially declined Precious’ request to take one of her siblings, who are triplets, before the deceased’s eventual disappearance.

He said, “The lady has 10-year-old triplets who are her siblings. The boy approached her and said, ‘Can she give him one of them so he can use her for something?’ She declined and, of course, did not raise the alarm or report it to her parents, the community, or the police.

“Later that same day, one of the triplets went missing. When they started looking for the child, the girlfriend realised the boy had said she wanted to use her sister. She then raised the alarm, told her parents, who informed the community and went to look for the guy and arrested him.”

During his confession in the video, Precious admitted to taking the girl to meet the two unidentified men, claiming she was killed in his presence and buried in the community.

He also accused the girlfriend of consenting to his request the second time he approached her.

“I told her I needed her younger sister, but she refused and walked away. Then, I went back to meet her and she agreed that I should carry her. So I sent a guy to go and call the little girl and when she came to meet me, I took her away to meet the two boys. The next day, they started looking for the girl. That was when she came to meet me and asked if I was the one who carried her. Then, I said yes. The girl was macheted in my presence and buried in the community.”

Meanwhile, Edafe said the police had yet to discover where the remains of the deceased were buried while the identities of the two men had remained unknown.

He expressed outrage over the incident and emphasised the need for community vigilance and prompt reporting of suspicious behaviour. “This is a tragic reminder of the consequences of silence in the face of danger. The police will ensure justice is served,” he stated.

The Delta State Police Command urged the public to report any suspicious activities promptly to prevent such tragedies.

PUNCH Metro reported on Thursday, January 17, that a 23-year-old man identified simply as Success was arrested for allegedly hacking his father to death with a cutlass.

The gruesome and shocking machete attack was said to have occurred at Amukpe community in the Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State.