
A teacher in a private school, Edet Umoren, who beheaded a
10-year-old pupil, Precious Adedeji, last Thursday in Esugbo, Itamerin, near
Ijebu-Ife, in the Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, said he was
provoked by the victim and the head teacher, who is the wife of the proprietor.
Adedeji, a pupil of Favour Nursery and Primary School, was
the granddaughter of the proprietor, Pastor Joseph Olutoye.
the granddaughter of the proprietor, Pastor Joseph Olutoye.
She was killed by the assailant a day after her 10th
birthday.
birthday.
Umoren was paraded on Monday at the headquarters of the
Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Magbon, Abeokuta, along with six suspected
kidnappers and a suspected Boko Haram member by the state Commissioner of
Police, Abdulmajid Ali.
Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Magbon, Abeokuta, along with six suspected
kidnappers and a suspected Boko Haram member by the state Commissioner of
Police, Abdulmajid Ali.
The 52-year-old native of Akwa Ibom State said he committed
the crime because Adedeji and the head teacher made him angry by some
uncomplimentary remarks they made.
the crime because Adedeji and the head teacher made him angry by some
uncomplimentary remarks they made.
He also said he never knew what came over him, adding that
he regretted his action.
he regretted his action.
He said, “That morning, I held a cutlass which I used to cut
canes in the bush to discipline pupils. The girl (Adedeji) and the head teacher
saw me and made some remarks which provoked me; then I used the cutlass to
behead her.
canes in the bush to discipline pupils. The girl (Adedeji) and the head teacher
saw me and made some remarks which provoked me; then I used the cutlass to
behead her.
“I never knew what came over me; it was when I had carried
out the act that I regained my senses. I regret my action.”
out the act that I regained my senses. I regret my action.”
Umoren, who said he was married with three children,
explained that the proprietor owed him four years salary arrears, adding that
his salary was N7,000 per month and not N4,000.
explained that the proprietor owed him four years salary arrears, adding that
his salary was N7,000 per month and not N4,000.
The suspect who had been in the employ of the school since
2011, stated that he had a pupil he was sponsoring his education in the school,
adding that the school fees was deducted from his salary.
2011, stated that he had a pupil he was sponsoring his education in the school,
adding that the school fees was deducted from his salary.
Umoren, who until the incident was the treasurer of the
proprietor’s church, was also accused of allegedly stealing over N250,000 from
the church.
proprietor’s church, was also accused of allegedly stealing over N250,000 from
the church.
He, however, said what he took from the church fund was
about N50,000, claiming it was part of the salary arrears being owed him.
about N50,000, claiming it was part of the salary arrears being owed him.
The state police boss said the suspect, who ran away after
committing the crime, was later arrested at Itamagiri in Ijebu Imusin.
committing the crime, was later arrested at Itamagiri in Ijebu Imusin.
Umoren was alleged to have also severed the right hand of
Adedeji.
Adedeji.
He allegedly attacked Adedeji, who was in company with her
friend, Patricia, and the head teacher.
friend, Patricia, and the head teacher.
They were said to be on their way back to the school when
Umoren allegedly pounced on them.
Umoren allegedly pounced on them.
Patricia, who escaped from the scene, was said to have run
back to the school to inform the proprietor of the attack by “uncle Edet.”
back to the school to inform the proprietor of the attack by “uncle Edet.”
The proprietor, Olutoye, expressed shock at Umoren’ action,
saying the teacher left two notes at the scene of the crime, claiming that he
committed the crime because of the failure of the proprietor to pay him his
January and February salary.
saying the teacher left two notes at the scene of the crime, claiming that he
committed the crime because of the failure of the proprietor to pay him his
January and February salary.
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