In a shocking turn of events, the Delta State Police Command has recovered the skull of Paulinus Okon, a victim who was allegedly kidnapped and beheaded by his close friend, Efe Onoeti.
The gruesome discovery was made possible through a discrete investigation led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ekpan Police Station.
According to the State Police Commissioner, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, the case began when Paulinus’s brother reported him missing on September 8, 2024. Efe, who initially denied any involvement, later demanded N500,000 from Paulinus’s brother to allegedly pay a herbalist for information on Paulinus’s whereabouts. He then claimed that Paulinus had been kidnapped and collected a ransom of N20,715,000 from the family.
However, when Efe’s inconsistencies raised suspicions, he was arrested, and the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Further investigation led to the arrest of Okeimute Ogaga, 48, who confessed to participating in Paulinus’s murder.
Ogaga revealed that Efe had brought Paulinus to Orere River in Otokutu, where he was tied to a stake and beheaded alive. His body was thrown into the river, while his head was buried in a shrine by a 30-year-old herbalist, Lawrence Jo.
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During interrogation, Efe claimed that he had killed Paulinus to avoid explaining that he had diverted the N30 million Paulinus had paid him for a building. Instead, Efe used the money to buy two plots of land and build a duplex.
Human rights activist Israel Joe, who first raised the alarm on social media, called for justice for Paulinus’s family. “The young man Paulinus was kidnapped from Otokutu by his friend… He was actually beheaded, and his head was buried in a shrine while they were still collecting ransom from his family,” Joe said.
The police have arrested Efe and three other suspects in connection with Paulinus’s murder. The case is ongoing, with the police working to ensure that justice is served.