Family demands justice as hoodlums kill furniture maker in Edo

A 41-year-old furniture maker identified as Mr Aruna Imuekheme has been reportedly beaten to death by 11 suspected gang members in Edo State.

DAILY POST gathered that the incident happened on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the furniture maker’s workshop located along Old Ahor Road, Eyean in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that the deceased, who hails from Ikabigbo-Uzairue in Etsako West Local Government Area, was reportedly killed by the gang members over a dispute arising from alleged faulty work earlier completed about six months ago.

It was learnt that three suspects have been arrested by the operatives of the Edo State Police Command at the Ahor Divisional Police headquarters in connection with the incident.

A brother to the deceased who gave his name as Mr. Lukeman Imuekemhe, said the victim had earlier completed the re-upholstering of a client’s job about six months ago.

According to him, the same client, however, on Friday, September 5, 2025, returned to his brother’s workshop to demand that the same chairs be worked on again, claiming that the materials used for the upholstery work had compressed.

He added, “My brother told them that the agreement was only for covering the chairs with new fabric, not replacing the foam.

“An argument broke out, and people around intervened, and they left. We had no idea that they were going for reinforcement.

“The group returned the following day with at least 11 men. Eight men initially and 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 simply identified as Mathew added that the deceased, who had been out for another work, was alerted and rushed back to his workshop.

Upon his arrival, the men descended on the furniture maker, using dangerous weapons on him.

The deceased was said to have been rushed to multiple hospitals by a good Samaritan for medical attention.

The good Samaritan was said to have taken the deceased to a health centre at Eyean Primary School and Narrow Way Hospital, but the facilities reportedly declined to admit the victim.

He was subsequently taken to Edo Specialist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival at about 12:08 pm.

The deceased’s corpse was eventually deposited at Stella Obasanjo Mortuary in Benin City.

The family of the deceased is calling on the Edo State Government and the Commissioner of Police to ensure a thorough investigation into the murder and that all the perpetrators are brought to justice.

“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 for intervention because the boys allegedly acted like cult boys with the nature of weapons with them.

“The matter has also been reported to the Edo State Police Command,” Lukeman Imuekheme said.

Family demands justice as hoodlums kill furniture maker in Edo