The Edo state police command has arrested Samuel Akpobome, (18) for allegedly killing his mother for money rituals.

The incident occurred in the early hours of October 29, 2023, at their residence at Market Road, Ologbo, Ikpoba- Okha Local Government Area, but he confessed to the crime in July 2024. The teenager confessed to the crime, detailing the harrowing sequence of events and his motivations.

Akpobome told PUNCH Metro that he strangled his mother, Christiana Ighoyivwi, while she was asleep. He said he acted on the instructions of an unidentified native doctor from Oghara. The native doctor allegedly advised him to kill his mother and then have sèxual intercourse with her corpse to complete a ritual that would supposedly bring him wealth.

Akpobome, who is the youngest child of the deceased, followed these instructions, believing they would lead to financial gain.

” I wanted to use her for money rituals. I strangled her; she was sleeping when I strangled her at about 5 a. m. I was advised by a native doctor in Oghara to kill her. After killing her, I slept with her. The native doctor told me to do so and keep her corpse for two days, ” Akpobome recounted. He added, ” The native doctor told me to kill my mother and sleep with her corpse. But he did not tell me the number of days to sleep with her. My mother did not offend me. I killed her because of money. ”

After the murder, Akpobome was at a loss as to where to keep his mother’ s body. His plans were thwarted when his grandmother discovered the corpse. ” I could not find a place to keep it. As I was about to come out, I did not know that my grandmother was sitting outside. When I opened the door, my grandmother sighted the corpse inside the room and raised the alarm that drew the attention of neighbours, ” he said.
The alarm raised by his grandmother led to Akpobome’ s immediate arrest. He was paraded by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, along with over 80 other suspects arrested for various offences.

The commissioner noted that the crime was reported at the Ologbo Police Station by a man named Patrick Ogiegbede at about 6 a. m. on the day of the incident.
This case has shocked the local community and highlighted the disturbing influence of some traditional beliefs and practices. It underscores the need for continued efforts to educate and protect vulnerable individuals from harmful superstitions. The police have assured the public that thorough investigations will be conducted, and justice served.