Two widows in Edo State have appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo to intervene in the alleged killing of their husband, Sunday Azuka, and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
The women, identified as Mrs Joy Azuka, 28, and Mrs Favour Azuka, 34, made the appeal during a protest at the Edo State Council Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benin City on Friday, October 30, 2026.
They alleged that their husband and two other persons were killed and buried alive on November 4, 2024, in Obagie N’ Evbousa community, Oredo Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking during the protest, Favour explained that her husband, a bricklayer, had travelled to the community with his colleagues for a construction job when the alleged attack occurred.
She said she received a phone call from a concerned individual informing her that her husband and his colleagues had been attacked by armed men, killed and buried alive.
According to her, a police officer who accompanied the family to the scene to apprehend the suspects was also shot but survived with serious injuries.
Favour accused suspected thugs allegedly loyal to one Uyi Igiebor of carrying out the attack. She further claimed that one of the suspects arrested in connection with the incident confessed to participating in the killings.
The widows said the tragedy has left their two young sons, Godsent, six, and Godspower, seven, struggling, as both children have reportedly stopped attending school since their father’s death.
Joy Azuka also alleged that some influential individuals were working behind the scenes to secure the release of the suspect allegedly connected to the killing.
She disclosed that the suspect had offered the family N500,000 as compensation for their husband’s death and the children’s upkeep, but they rejected the offer, insisting that justice must take its course.
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The widow further revealed that the Inspector-General of Police, through the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5, Benin City, subsequently issued an arrest warrant for Igiebor.
She added that one of the suspects who allegedly confessed to participating in the crime was currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The women also expressed frustration over their unsuccessful attempts to secure government intervention, alleging that repeated visits to the Government House and efforts to reach the governor’s Special Adviser on Security, Paul Akhere, had yielded little progress.
However, when contacted, Akhere confirmed that he was familiar with the incident and disclosed that the alleged killing was connected to a leadership dispute over the position of youth chairman in the community.
He said Igiebor had been arrested but denied involvement in the killing.
Akhere further stated that N2 million had been agreed upon as compensation for the family and the upkeep of the children, with N1 million allocated to each child.
He admitted that only N800,000 of the agreed amount had so far been paid.
The governor’s aide also disclosed that he was informed about a month earlier that another individual had made a confessional statement suggesting knowledge of the incident.
The widows, however, insist that financial compensation cannot replace their husband’s life, calling on the Edo State Government and relevant security agencies to ensure a transparent investigation and prosecution of everyone found culpable.
They maintained that their primary demand is justice for their late husband and the restoration of a secure future for their two children.
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