Tragedy struck in Delta State as police authorities have arrested a 26-year-old labourer, Awaji Moses, who confessed to killing his employer, Victor Ochei, after allegedly being owed seven months’ salary.
The shocking incident occurred on June 22, and has since left the community in disbelief. Moses, a native of Benue State, admitted during a police parade that he attacked and killed Ochei with a pestle—a tool commonly used in palm oil production—after what he described as months of frustration and neglect.
“I worked for over a year. After a few months, my salary stopped. He would only give me ₦500 daily to eat. I stopped going to work, but he came back to beg me. I returned, but he still didn’t pay me,” Moses recounted in a low voice.
According to the suspect, they had gone to the bush to buy palm fruits on that fateful day. It was unusual for the boss to accompany him, but because the oil mill wasn’t active that day, Ochei decided to join. Moses said the moment they reached the forest path, he acted on impulse.
“I picked the pestle used for processing and hit him twice on the neck. He died on the spot,” he said.
After the act, Moses took his employer’s phone, fabricated a kidnapping story, and reached out to the victim’s family demanding a ₦10 million ransom. One of Ochei’s sisters, believing the story, reportedly transferred ₦300,000 to an Opay account provided by the suspect.
But the deception was short-lived.
When relatives couldn’t reach both Ochei and Moses, suspicion grew. Moses was tracked and arrested—still in possession of the victim’s phone. It was during interrogation that he admitted to the crime.
Speaking on the case, Delta State Police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, described the act as “cold and calculated.” He confirmed that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
The murder has sparked discussions around labour rights, worker exploitation, and mental health among young Nigerians facing economic hardship. While nothing justifies murder, some have called for deeper reflection on the conditions that lead young people to such desperate actions.
Victor Ochei was 38 years old. His family is now left to grieve not just a loved one, but a life ended too suddenly—and in betrayal.
