Fugar, Edo State — The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the killing of Julius Bello, an All Progressives Congress (APC) ward chairman, in Fugar.
Bello, also known as De Lord Ogata, chaired Ward Three in Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area.
Police spokesperson Eno Ikoedem said an investigation had begun and the suspect, John Irobudo, identified in reports as Bello’s son, remained at large.
The killing reportedly occurred on Sunday, November 8, after the suspect returned to the community from Lagos.
News reports say the victim was struck with a sledgehammer and later died from his injuries.
Channels Television reported that police were investigating the circumstances and working to apprehend the suspect.
The supplied report’s headline links the killing to Bello’s support for President Bola Tinubu amid economic hardship.
However, the sources reviewed provide no evidence that political support or economic hardship caused the attack.
Alleged motive of Bello remains unverified
Some media reports citing family or community sources say the suspect may have acted after hearing a claim about his father.
The reports attribute that claim to a purported prophecy blaming Bello for the suspect’s poverty or lack of progress.
That account has not been independently verified, and police have not publicly confirmed it as the motive.
Punch reported the police investigation and quoted an unnamed family source describing the alleged prophecy.
Other reports also relay the claim, but their accounts rely on unnamed sources rather than disclosed investigative findings.
Accordingly, the alleged prophecy should be treated as an unconfirmed explanation, not an established fact about the killing.
No reliable report reviewed tied the incident to a disagreement over President Tinubu, the APC, or government economic policy.
The suspect, Bello, has not been reported to have publicly explained his actions, and police have not announced a conclusion.
Suspect reportedly at large as inquiry continues
Police said the suspect was still at large when the command confirmed the incident, and an investigation was underway.
Reports differ in how they identify him, describing him as Irobudo or John Bello.
The variation has not been resolved in the available police comments, which refer to the suspect as the son of Bello.
Authorities have not announced an arrest, filed charges or released a detailed account of the events leading to the attack.
Channels Television reported that the deceased was taken to a hospital after the assault, where he later died.
That account also said police rescued Bello’s wife after some community members reportedly attempted to attack her.
Police have not publicly confirmed the reported attempted reprisal, and it remains unclear whether anyone was injured.
Further statements from investigators may clarify the suspect’s identity, the sequence of events and any evidence supporting a motive.
Political framing exceeds verified evidence
The position of Bello as an APC ward chairman is confirmed across reports, but it does not establish a political motive.
The claim that he was killed for supporting Tinubu appears in the linked story’s framing, rather than corroborated evidence.
Likewise, describing economic hardship as a cause goes beyond what police or independently verified reporting has established.
Available accounts instead relay an alleged family dispute and a purported spiritual accusation, neither confirmed by investigators.
Responsible reporting requires separating those claims from the confirmed facts: Bello’s death, the police investigation and the suspect’s reported absence.
It also means avoiding assumptions about guilt or motive before investigators release findings and any court proceedings establish facts.
At the time of the reports published November 9 and 10, police had not publicly identified a final motive.
The case remains under investigation, and the available evidence does not support attributing the killing to political allegiance.
Community awaits further information on Bello
The death of Bello, a local party official, has drawn attention in Fugar, where residents and relatives are reportedly mourning.
Bello’s role in the APC has made the case politically visible, but the investigation remains a criminal matter.
The reported use of a heavy tool and the suspect’s flight are allegations contained in media accounts.
Police confirmation that an investigation has started does not by itself validate every detail circulating online.
Authorities have not disclosed whether forensic evidence, witness interviews or other investigative steps have established the circumstances.
Until further verified information is released, claims about poverty, prophecy or support for Tinubu should remain clearly attributed.
The central confirmed development is that police are investigating the fatal attack and seeking the suspect.
