Man 57, two sons in police net over the death of 13yrs old boy in Sapele

By Esada Uyono,

Sapele – The Police in Sapele, Sapele local government area of Delta State has arrested a 57 years old man, Mr Joseph Itoroh and his two sons, Tommy and Great Itoroh over the death of a 13 years old boy, Nyerhovwo Efetobo. 

The incident was said to have happened on Friday night at about 12:32am when Nyerhowho and his friend, another teenager went snails hunting at Ajogodo, Ajimele area of the town. 

According to a source who claim to be a family member of the Efetobos and craved anonymity he told ADVOCATE that; “Nyerhowho father is in Ghana and he lives with his grandmother along the Sapele/Warri road Ajogodo, and on that Friday night, he went hunting for snails with his friend at about 11.30pm, Mr Itoroh saw them and accused them of being thieves, not only were they tied,  he and his sons battered Nyerhowho to death, while his friend was badly injured before Vigilantes arrived the scene,” the source said.

The Vigilantes were said to have invited the police to the scene where he was arrested with his two sons.

At the Police Station in Sapele, Mr Itoroh was said to have denied touching Nyerhowho, “He was denying that he did not touch the teenagers, that it was the Vigilantes who battered Nyerhovwo to death, but thank God, Ese (Nyerhowho friend) who was battered too and admitted in the hospital was brought to the Police Station to identify the killers.” The source said.

Another source who claim to be neighbour to the Itorohs and attracted by the teenagers wailing that night told ADVOCATE that “Nyerhowo was not only in pain, he was crying and begging that he was not a thief but yet they went on beating them, even applying the mixture of salt and petrol on them” the source who simply called himself Champion said.

However, at the Efetobo residence, the late boy’s mother, Mary, surrounded by sympathizers told our corresponded, “Nyerhovwo is my only son and I can’t understand why my son was killed like a chicken,” she wailed.

Attempt to reach the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Anieamaka to confirm the arrest was not successful as he promised to call back and did not before filing in this report, but a source at the Sapele Police station confirmed the story “yes, the suspects have been arrested, and we are doing all we can to get to the root of the matter” the police who begged that his name should not to be mentioned, said.