Shock and outrage have erupted in Edo State following the arrest of 31-year-old Joshua Osaigbovo, who confessed to killing 21-year-old Osato Festus Edogiaweria and burying her in a shallow grave near his home in Iyanomon community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area. The disturbing discovery was made by operatives of the Edo State Police Command on June 20, 2025, after weeks of investigation.
Osato had been declared missing on April 25 by her mother, Mrs. Ojo, after the young woman left home on April 20 in the company of a friend and failed to return. The case, initially reported at Aduwawa Division, was later transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) for deeper investigation.
Spokesperson of the Command, Moses Yamu, disclosed in a statement that breakthrough came through “painstaking investigation and technical intelligence” conducted by the Family Unit, which led to the suspect’s arrest on June 18. During interrogation, Osaigbovo admitted he had invited Osato to his residence on April 27. According to him, a heated argument led to a physical altercation during which she fell, hit her head, and died on the spot.
Rather than alerting authorities, the suspect confessed to placing Osato’s body in a wheelbarrow and transporting it under the cover of darkness to a nearby bush. There, he dug a shallow grave and buried her remains in an attempt to conceal the crime. Police say the phone of the deceased was also recovered from the suspect’s possession during his arrest.
On Thursday, June 20, Osaigbovo led detectives to the grave site. Forensic officers and homicide detectives, following due legal procedures, exhumed the remains under tight security. Residents of Iyanomon are still reeling from the revelation, with many calling for swift prosecution and maximum penalty.
The Edo State Police Command has vowed to ensure justice is served. Yamu noted that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. The incident has reignited calls for improved safety protocols for young women in the state, especially around digital safety, trust, and last seen movements.
The gruesome case is a chilling reminder of the growing vulnerability of women and the need for strengthened community vigilance and faster tracking mechanisms for missing persons in Nigeria.
