The Delta State Police Command has launched a full investigation following the brutal killing of a site engineer, Chigozie Udalor, allegedly by his own employees after they discovered that he had a large sum of money in his account. The shocking incident has raised concerns about the dangers of greed and betrayal among workers and their employers in the region.
According to the police, the incident came to light on December 12, 2024, when one Hyacinth Nnalue reported to the Akwukwu-Igbo police division that his cousin, Chigozie Udalor, had been missing since December 10, 2024. Udalor, who was a site manager for Nnalue’s fish pond business in the Bod Camp area of Akwukwu-Igbo community, had failed to make contact, prompting concerns among his family members.
The report prompted a swift response from the Delta State Police, with the Division Police Officer (DPO) at Akwukwu-Igbo, CSP Aliyu Shaba, quickly beginning an investigation. The case was soon escalated to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
In a statement issued by the police spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, the police revealed that their investigation took a significant turn on March 31, 2025, when they arrested one David Tacho, a suspect who had attempted to withdraw money from Udalor’s bank account using his phone. Further investigation led to the arrest of another suspect, Daniel Orshio, who was also involved in the murder.
The police discovered that David Tacho was the brother of Victor Tacho, who, along with Pius Daniel, conspired to murder Udalor. While Tacho and Orshio are currently in police custody, Victor Tacho and Pius Daniel remain at large. Authorities are still actively searching for the two suspects.
According to preliminary investigations, all four suspects—David Tacho, Daniel Orshio, Victor Tacho, and Pius Daniel—were employed by Udalor as workers on the fish pond site. The workers reportedly discovered that their employer had a large amount of money in his Moniepoint bank account. Driven by greed, they allegedly hatched a plan to murder him and take control of the money.
On the fateful day, the suspects used a hammer to strike Udalor on the head, then proceeded to tie him up before burying him in a shallow grave at the site. The brutal crime remained undetected for several weeks until Udalor’s family raised the alarm after his sudden disappearance.
In the aftermath of the arrests, the police exhumed Udalor’s body from the shallow grave at the fish pond site. The body has been sent for autopsy, which will provide further evidence regarding the cause of death. The police have assured that they are making concerted efforts to apprehend the two remaining suspects, Victor Tacho and Pius Daniel, who are still on the run.
The tragic murder has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the growing issue of workplace betrayal and the dangers that can arise when financial greed takes over. Residents of the Akwukwu-Igbo community have expressed their disbelief over the crime, with many people struggling to comprehend how workers could turn on their employer in such a violent and cold-blooded manner.
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has praised the efforts of the investigation team, noting that the arrests were the result of a “technically driven” investigation. He commended the intelligence-led approach used by the operatives, which ultimately led to the breakthrough in the case.
“While this is a tragic incident, we are committed to ensuring that justice is served. We will continue to pursue the remaining suspects and bring them to justice,” CP Abaniwonda said in a statement.
He also appealed to the public for any information that may lead to the arrest of the two suspects still on the run. “We urge anyone with information to come forward and assist the police in their efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects,” he added.
The murder has also raised questions about the safety of workers and employers in Delta State and across Nigeria. While incidents of workplace violence are not uncommon, this case stands out because the victim was killed by individuals he had entrusted with his business. It highlights the importance of trust in employer-employee relationships and the potentially dangerous consequences when that trust is broken.
Local residents have been left reeling from the brutal nature of the crime, and many are now questioning the safety of working with people they consider close to them. The tragic death of Chigozie Udalor has sparked a wider conversation about the need for greater vigilance in workplace relationships, particularly when it comes to handling financial matters and sensitive information.
This case also brings to the forefront the dangerous consequences of financial greed and desperation. While it is still unclear how much money the suspects believed Udalor had in his account, the motive behind the crime appears to be solely driven by financial gain. Unfortunately, Udalor’s tragic death is not an isolated incident. There have been several cases in Nigeria where financial greed has led to violence, with individuals being harmed or killed over money-related disputes.