Mother, four-year-old daughter killed by assailants, buried amidst tears

A 28-year-old woman, Mrs. Itohan Enagbare, and her four-year-old daughter, Iwinosa, who were gruesomely hacked to death by suspected assailants on December 9, 2015, have been buried.

Itohan and her daughter, who hailed from Orhionmwon Local Government Area, were buried side by side at Erediuwa, off Upper Sakponba road, in Benin, the state capital.

The deceased mother and child were stabbed to death at their residence on Osaze Street, off Dumez Road, in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

It was gathered that one of the assailants identified as Gift Edosomwan, had stormed the 28-year-old woman’s residence at about 1pm, dragged her outside and stabbed her to death.

It was also learnt from some sources that the four-year-old girl’s loud cry when she saw that her mother was in danger also caused the killers to hack her to death before they fled the scene.

Little Iwinosa was reportedly stabbed in the chest and back before she bled to death.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Osifo, who confirmed the incident, said that the landlady of the victims was arrested in connection with their death while Gift, said to be living with her (landlady), had fled the area.

“There is one arrest so far; that is the landlady of the late woman. Information got to the police that they had been having issues. And since then, the woman (landlady) had been threatening the late woman,” he had said.

It was, however, learnt that Gift, who was said to be living with the landlady, was later arrested, arraigned in court and remanded in prison.

A close friend of the family, Mr. Israel Amadin, said, “There is a suspect at Oko Prison. He was supposed to be taken to court yesterday (Thursday) but court did not sit. So, we are waiting for a new date.

“The suspect’s name is Gift Edosomwan. He stays with the landlady of the house. She (landlady) reported herself to the police, but she was bailed because there was no pure evidence against her.”

The remains of the victims were conveyed to their place of rest from the Central Hospital morgue, accompanied by a large crowd of sympathisers, including relatives, friends and community members.

Some passersby were seen lamenting tearfully when they saw the photograph of the late mother and child in a close embrace.

Efforts to speak with the husband of the deceased woman were unsuccessful as he was said to be unavailable.

But some sympathisers said that the death of the deceased had caused great pain and sadness to the family, adding that the little girl was a source of joy to her parents.

They also said that it was shocking that what they consider to be a normal disagreement could degenerate into the loss of lives and urged the police to ensure justice for the aggrieved family.

“It has not been easy. The daughter was stabbed in the chest and back just like the mother. It is very appalling,” Amadin said.

He added, “We are begging the police and every relevant agency to really wade into this issue and make sure we get justice. We are fighting for justice; we need justice.”