How Labourers Killed Farmer After N900,000 Pineapple Sale in Edo

Police in Edo State have arrested a 32-year-old farm labourer, Bassey Nyong Uweh, for allegedly kidnapping and killing his employer, Henry Ohiengbomwan, after the sale of pineapples worth over N900,000. The crime took place in Igueze village, along the Benin-Lagos expressway in Ovia North East Local Government Area.

Ohiengbomwan, a farmer based in Benin, had employed five workers—two from Akwa Ibom and three from Nasarawa State—to tend his large farms, which included pineapples, cocoa, melon, and yams. On May 13, 2025, after harvesting and selling pineapples with the help of the workers, the labourers allegedly abducted him, stole the N900,000 proceeds, and killed him in a nearby forest, where they buried his body in a shallow grave.

The suspects later contacted the victim’s family, demanding a N60 million ransom and an additional N300,000 to allow a conversation with the victim. The family paid the N300,000, but when they were denied communication, they reported the matter to the police.

Investigations by the anti-kidnapping unit led to Uweh’s arrest in a creek at Eyo Abasi village, Oron, Akwa Ibom State. He reportedly confessed to the crime and directed police to the burial site.

Edo State police spokesperson, CSP Moses Yamu, confirmed the arrest and recovery of the victim’s remains. He said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the four other suspects who are still on the run.