Okpebholo Condemns Murder Of Realtor, Urges Arrest Of Killers

By PATRICK OCHOGA, Benin City

Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has condemned in strong terms the gruesome murder of a Benin-based realtor and businessman, Mr Joel Umwueni Isibor and called on security agencies to fish out his killers.

The 42-year-old estate developer and owner of a boutique was sent to his untimely grave by unknown gunmen who broke into his store on Friday evening and shot him at close range.

Edo State deputy governor, Dennis Idahosa, who represented the governor,  received the news of the alleged murder of the businessman with a rude shock on Sunday and visited the residence of the family of the deceased to commiserate with the bereaved family over the untimely death of their patriarch.

Idahosa said Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo was deeply touched and saddened over the gruesome murder of a vibrant young and energetic man.

He assured that the state government would not leave any stone unturned to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act and bring them to book.

He warned criminal elements to relocate from Edo State as the government would not compromise its stand on dealing decisively with criminals and their collaborators, using the instrumentality of the law, to serve as a deterrent to others.

Idahosa added that the state government would synergise with security agencies to launch a large-scale investigation into the matter, with a view to apprehending the perpetrators of the heinous act and bringing them to justice.

He assured the bereaved family of the state government’s unwavering commitment to identify with them.

Responding, Mrs Joel Isibor, wife of the deceased businessman, appreciated the state government for its prompt response to commiserate with the family, and described her husband’s death as a heinous crime against humanity.

She said the assailant laid an ambush for her husband, while trying to lock the shop after the day’s business and opened fire on him, without any provocation, while nothing was removed from the store, which painted a true picture of a well-orchestrated assassination.

Mrs Isibor said she was completely devastated, as the husband was the breadwinner of the family and appealed to the state government to carry out a thorough investigation to unravel the mystery surrounding the gruesome murder of her husband.

The deputy governor, who was in a sober mood, could not control his emotions as he broke down in tears.