A 17-year-old named Arthur Angel Jr. has been arrested by the Edo State Police Command for the murder of his 70-year-old father, Arthur Judah Angel. The incident reportedly stemmed from a dispute over money expected from Amnesty International.
The Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, detailed the chilling account to newsmen in Benin City. According to Nwabuzor, the young suspect had repeatedly threatened to kill his father, believing that he was withholding funds expected from Amnesty International.
On July 15, 2024, at approximately 9:00 AM, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ugboha division received a report from Arthur Angel Jr., claiming he had discovered a shallow grave in their backyard. The DPO quickly mobilized his team to investigate the scene. Upon exhuming the grave, they discovered the lifeless body of Arthur Judah Angel, bearing a sharp injury on the back of his head. The body was subsequently transported to Uromi Hospital mortuary.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the son had killed his father with a sledgehammer while he was asleep, motivated by the belief that his father had received the anticipated funds from Amnesty International. The suspect has since been transferred to the homicide section of the Edo State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
The incident occurred in Ugboha community, located in Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State. The deceased, Arthur Judah Angel, was well-known as an anti-death penalty advocate and human rights defender. Through his foundation, Life Wire International Foundation, he campaigned vigorously against the death penalty. His advocacy took him to over 15 countries where he used his art exhibitions and drawings to raise awareness about the issue.
This tragic incident has left the community and the broader human rights circle in shock and mourning, highlighting the devastating impact of unresolved familial conflicts.
