Police arrest three over alleged murder of domestic staff in Edo

By Usman Aliyu

The police command in Edo has arrested three suspects over the alleged torture and death of a 15-year-old brought to Benin from Benue for domestic work.

The victim, identified by community sources as Tyowase Joy Mfena, was said to have died after suffering severe abuse in the residence where she worked as a domestic worker.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the arrests to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Benin.

She told NAN that operatives of the command acted on credible intelligence to apprehend the suspects linked to the incident.

“On June 5, 2026, operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested three suspects in connection with the suspected murder of a 15-year-old house help, Joy, a native of Benue ,” she said.

Ikoedem disclosed that preliminary investigations indicated that the prime suspect allegedly accused the teenager of stealing N200,000 before subjecting her to severe assault.

“Preliminary findings indicate that the prime suspect, Glory Amadasun, allegedly accused the deceased of stealing N200,000 and subjected her to severe assault which reportedly resulted in her death,” she stated.

The police spokesperson said efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects believed to have fled following the incident.

She added that the victim’s remains had been deposited at Stella Obasanjo Hospital for preservation and autopsy, while investigations continued.

“The suspects have been arrested, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend others fleeing. The corpse has been deposited at Stella Obasanjo Hospital for preservation and autopsy, while investigation continues,” she said.

Sources told newsmen that the deceased was brought to Benin from Benue alongside two other girls, identified as Tyowase Miriam Nguevese and Dose Ishor Zua.

The sources alleged that the girls were brought to Edo by a man identified as Moti Tyowuese, popularly known as Anosa, from Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue

According to the sources, Joy hailed from Ipav community in Mbagyur, Gboko Local Government Area of Benue, and was the daughter of Mr Tyowase Zua and Mrs Tyowase Mkegh.

The sources further alleged that she worked in the household of a married woman identified at Ogobi Community along Sapele Road, Benin City.

“The poor girl died from the maltreatment injuries she sustained,” one of the sources alleged.

He said the matter was initially reported at the Love World Police Station under the Obe Division before being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.

Another source said the transfer followed intervention by leaders of the Tiv community in Edo, including the Ter u Tiv Edo, Chief Iordye, and the President of Tiv Youths in the State, Mr Agber Akaajime.

Innvestigators, the sources said, were working to identify and arrest additional persons connected with the case, while an autopsy was expected to determine the exact cause of death.

The incident has sparked outrage among members of the Tiv community in the state as well as residents, who are demanding justice for the deceased teenager and thorough prosecution of all persons found culpable.

NAN