Delta State Police Command has arrested a man, Destiny Lawrence, for the gruesome murder of his neighbor’s eight-year-old son, Progress Ifeanyi, in the Owa-Alero community. Lawrence reportedly lured the child to a native doctor, identified as Jonah, who allegedly paid him N30,000 for the boy’s body parts.
The boy’s father raised the alarm on November 23, 2024, reporting his son missing after he noticed that Lawrence, a regular customer at their shop, had walked away with the child earlier in the day. Lawrence initially denied knowing the boy’s whereabouts, but the child’s lifeless body was later discovered in an uncompleted building, mutilated with body parts missing.
Police spokesperson SP Bright Edafe confirmed the arrest and revealed Lawrence’s confession during interrogation. The suspect admitted to being contracted by the native doctor, Jonah, from Otolokpo community, to find a young boy. He lured Progress to the uncompleted building, where Jonah reportedly slit the boy’s throat before fleeing the scene.
The Delta State Police Command has launched a manhunt for Jonah, who remains at large. SP Edafe reassured the public that all efforts are being made to bring the fugitive to justice. Lawrence remains in custody as investigations continue.
This shocking incident has sparked outrage across the state, with community leaders and residents demanding swift action against ritual killings, which have seen a worrying increase in recent years.
