The Edo State Police Command has arrested a man, Theophilus Osazuwa, for allegedly killing his four-year-old son, Testimony Osazuwa, in what authorities believed to have been a drug-induced act.
The command revealed that the incident happened on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at about 12:30 p.m., at Ogbeson Quarters, off Benin-Agbor Road in Benin City.
According to a statement on Wednesday night by the command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, Osazuwa had just returned to his apartment when he suddenly entered a trance.
Yamu claimed Osazuwa screamed, “Holy Ghost fire,” before he violently grabbed his son and slammed him against the wall, which led to the boy’s death.
The PRO said despite efforts to save the child, he was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
The statement read, “Edo Police Command has arrested one Theophilus Osazuwa of Ogbeson Quarters off Benin-Agbor Road, Benin City, for the murder of his four-year-old son named Testimony Osazuwa.
“The suspect was said to have arrived at his home on 24/12/2024 at about 1230 hrs, went berserk screaming ‘Holy Ghost fire,’ then reached for the four-year-old boy and slammed him to the wall. The child was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the young man who is known for the consumption of illicit (colloquial, ice, etc.) substances must have acted under the influence of the same.”
The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Umoru Ozigi, condemned the incident and used the opportunity to caution youths against drug abuse.
Yamu added that the police have launched further investigation into the case while Osazuwa remains in custody.