A 42-year-old commercial bus driver, Osabohien Ogieva, has been arrested for allegedly beating his 32-year-old girlfriend, Joy Jerome, to death.
The Edo State Police Command confirmed the arrest in Benin City on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, through their Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem. The incident reportedly occurred in the Ikpe community, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
According to Ikoedem “On January 10, 2026, we received a report from the Ikpe community that a lifeless body of a young woman was found along the road, close to the river. Operatives of the Idogbo division quickly rushed to the scene and moved the body to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead. The body has been deposited at the mortuary.”
Investigations revealed that the deceased was Joy Jerome, a 32-year-old resident of Upper Sakponba. Further inquiries led to the arrest of Osabohien Ogieva, her boyfriend.
Police reports stated that on January 9, 2026, a lovers’ quarrel escalated into tragedy. The suspect reportedly picked up Joy in his bus, accusing her of cheating after not seeing her for two days. Joy explained she had been at her aunt’s home, prompting a heated argument. “The man got so angry, parked the minibus by the roadside, came down, picked up a log of wood and struck her all over her body, including the neck. She fainted, and when he realised she was no longer breathing, he rushed her to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead on arrival,” Ikoedem said.
After the incident, the suspect reportedly dumped Joy’s body near a river in Ikpe community before calling her family to claim he had not seen her for two or three days.
The police spokesperson added that Osabohien Ogieva has confessed to the crime and would be charged to court once the investigation is concluded.
This tragic incident has raised serious concerns over domestic violence and accountability in relationships, highlighting the need for urgent intervention and awareness in Edo State.
Elijah Adeyemi
