BENIN CITY — Tragedy reportedly struck a family in Benin City, Edo State, on 16 August 2010 after armed men allegedly murdered a couple and two of their children following their inability to disclose the whereabouts of their son, Osagie Tony.
The murdered family members are Mr.Tony Erhabor, Mrs Tony Felicia, Tony Osamende and Tony Henry
According to information made available to journalists, the incident was allegedly linked to a dispute that arose after Tony reportedly impregnated Sandra Ehigie, said to be the daughter of a wealthy businessman, Mr. Ugbo Ehigie.
Sources alleged that the businessman became enraged by the development, leading to Tony’s arrest by policemen over the matter. However, he was subsequently granted bail.
A family source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that following his release, armed cult members were mobilised to abduct Tony.
The source claimed that Tony was kidnapped on 9 February 2009, taken to a remote forest and repeatedly tortured before he was abandoned after being presumed dead.
“He was fortunate to have been rescued by a local farmer who found him and saved his life,” the source alleged.
The source further claimed that after Tony escaped, the businessman allegedly issued a seven-day ultimatum to members of Tony’s family to produce him or face severe consequences.
According to the source, when efforts to locate Tony proved unsuccessful after the expiration of the ultimatum, armed assailants stormed the family’s residence on 16 August 2010 between 9: 30pm and 10:00 pm in Benin City, where Tony’s parents and two siblings were allegedly hacked to death.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command said the Command had yet to receive details of the alleged killings.
The police spokesperson assured that once a formal report is received, the Command would immediately commence investigations with a view to identifying, apprehending and prosecuting those responsible for the killings.
