By Amos Aar
THE Benue State Police Command has arrested one Mrs Charity Upev of International Market Area, Makurdi for allegedly beating her 10-year-old stepson, Fanen Yange, to death over accusation of meat stolen from her pot of soup.
Benue State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police (SP) Sewuese Anene, who confirmed the arrest in a statement on Wednesday, said Mrs Upev had accused Fanen of stealing meat from her pot of soup and allegedly beat him early in the morning and the victim later died that very night of the alleged beating.
Anene said Fanen’s corpse has been deposited at Bishop Murray Hospital mortuary for autopsy while the alleged killer is currently in police custody as investigation is ongoing.
“On 23/1/2023 at about 1700hours, a case of culpable homicide was reported at ‘E’ Police Division, Makurdi. A team of detectives were deployed immediately.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the deceased, Fanen Yange, 10 years old of International Market Area, Makurdi was alleged by his step mother; Mrs. Upev, to have stolen meat from the pot and she beat him up during the early hours of the day but when the victim went to sleep at night, he could not wake up.
“Fanen has been confirmed dead by a doctor and his corpse deposited at Bishop Murray Hospital morgue, Makurdi for autopsy.
“The suspect is in police custody and investigation is ongoing,” Anene said.
Although the PPRO simply identified the alleged suspect as Mrs Upev, sources from the International Market area, Makurdi told National Record that the step-mother’s full name is Mrs Charity Upev.
