By
Abdul-Kadir Abdullah
Tragedy struck in the Eyean area of Benin City on Saturday, September 6, when a 41-year-old furniture maker, Mr. Aruna Imuekemhe, was allegedly beaten to death by a group of men over a dispute involving the reworking of previously delivered furniture.
Mr. Imuekemhe, who hails from Ikabigbo-Uzairue in Etsako West Local Government Area but resides in Benin City, owns a furniture workshop along Old Ahor Road, Eyean.
According to his brother, Mr. Lukeman Imuekemhe, the late craftsman had earlier completed a furniture re-upholstery job for a client about six months ago.
However, the same clients returned on Friday, September 5, demanding that he redo the chairs, claiming they had "pressed down."
Lukeman recounted, "My brother told them that the agreement was only for recovering the chairs with new fabric, not replacing the foam,"
"An argument broke out, and people around intervened, and they left. We had no idea they went to bring reinforcements."
According to eyewitnesses, the group returned the following day with at least 11 individuals, eight men initially, followed by three others who arrived in an oxblood-coloured Toyota Venza SUV. When they arrived at Mr. Imuekemhe’s workshop and found him absent, they reportedly attempted to steal his tools and other items. Apprentices and nearby residents resisted, leading to a scuffle.
An eyewitness, Mr. Mathew, was allegedly attacked with an axe during the chaos.
Reports say the attackers brandished weapons, including a cut-to-size firearm and an axe, shouting cult-related chants such as "Axe men" and "Aye men."
Shortly afterward, Mr. Imuekemhe, who had been out taking measurements at another client’s site, was alerted and rushed back to his workshop. Upon arrival, he was reportedly overpowered and beaten severely by the mob.
A female eyewitness, described as a Good Samaritan, rushed the victim to multiple medical facilities, including a health center at Eyean Primary School and Narrow Way Hospital. Unfortunately, both facilities reportedly declined to admit him.
He was later taken to Edo Specialist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival at approximately 12:08 p.m.
The deceased’s body has since been deposited at Stellar Obasanjo Mortuary.
The Ahor Divisional Police Command has confirmed the arrest of three suspects in connection with the attack.
A police officer who spoke anonymously through a phone call stated that the incident is being treated as a murder case and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation on Monday.
The Imuekemhe family is calling on the Edo State Government and the Commissioner of Police to ensure a thorough investigation into the murder and bring all perpetrators to justice.
Lukeman Imuekemhe said, "We appeal for fairness, equity, and justice in handling this case. We have also reached out to the Chairman of Edo State Special Security Squad, Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists, because it was obvious that the boys are cult boys"
The Edo State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement at the time of filing this report.
