Woman beaten to death 48 hours to daughter’s wedding

Homicide detectives in Edo Police State are battling to unravel how a middle-aged was murdered about 48 hours to her daughter’s wedding. The deceased, identified as Mrs Itota, was allegedly beaten to a pulp by an angry neighbour and some people in military uniform at Joe Amedu Street, off Upper Mission in Benin City.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Moses Eguavoen, said the police were investigating what led to the woman’s death.
Already, family members including the husband of the deceased, Pa Michael Itota, are still in shock over the incident. It was learnt that the deceased was preparing for her daughter’s wedding before a quarrel broke out between her family and the neighbour’s family.
A witness said men suspected to be military personnel had stormed the woman’s house in the heat of the quarrel, descended on her and beat her to death.

The woman’s husband was said to be away when the ugly incident occurred but rushed back home following a distress call. He said: “I got a phone call that my wife is dead as a result of the beating she received. I never believed this could ever happen. I want the government to come to my aid.”
A witness, who craved anonymity, fingered a retired soldier a as the key suspect. According to the witness, the retired soldier invaded the late woman’s house with some soldiers. “Before the incident, the retired soldier had threatened to deal with Mama (Mrs Itota), saying she carried herself as if she was the only one with a daughter abroad,” the witness said.