Enugu : Man allegedly murders, buries 19-year-old scavenger in shallow grave

In a tragic incident in Obollo, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, a 19-year-old scrap scavenger, Yusuf Ibrahim, was allegedly killed by a 30-year-old man, Joshua Tsehemba, in what police suspect was a robbery turned deadly.

Tsehemba, who reportedly conspired with two accomplices still at large, is accused of robbing Ibrahim of N100,000 before strangling him on October 2.

The Enugu State Police Command spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed details of the case in a statement on Monday.

According to the police, the suspects buried the young scavenger’s body in a shallow grave within the community, sparking widespread shock and sadness.

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Scrap scavenging has become a common means of survival for many young Nigerians facing economic hardship.

Scavengers, often seen with their metal carts, roam neighborhoods in search of discarded metals to sell for a living. The tragic incident highlights the risks faced by these young individuals who rely on the informal economy amid rising economic challenges.

Enugu State Police are actively pursuing the accomplices and have assured the public of their commitment to bringing justice to Ibrahim’s family.

“The suspect was arrested by operatives from the Udenu Police Division of the Command, following a community alert regarding a shallow grave discovered in a bush at Ojo River in Ogbodu-Aba, Obollo Community, Udenu LGA,” he said.

Mr Ndukwe said the suspect has confessed to killing the victim after luring him under the pretext of wanting to sell a discarded motor vehicle propeller.

The spokesperson said the suspect has been arraigned and remanded at the Enugu Correctional Custodial Centre pending further court proceedings.

He did not, however, give details of the charges.