By Badagry Today The usually peaceful Bovita Central community in Badagry, Lagos State, has been thrown into mourning after the body of 28-...
By Badagry Today
The usually peaceful Bovita Central community in Badagry, Lagos State, has been thrown into mourning after the body of 28-year-old artisan, Ayienugba Ezekiel, was discovered in an abandoned fish pond with his hands tied behind his back.
According to Vanguard News online, the tragic discovery, made on the night of Saturday, September 13, 2025, sent shockwaves through the community, leaving residents gripped with fear and demanding answers.
At the family’s modest home, the air was heavy with grief. Ezekiel’s young widow, 24-year-old Abiola, clutched their toddler to her chest as tears streamed down her face. “We ate dinner together that evening. Around 6 p.m., he told me he was going to a birthday party. By 9 p.m., when he didn’t return, I kept calling his phone but it was switched off. I never imagined that would be the last time I would see him alive,” she said, her voice breaking.
Abiola recalled the devastating moment her brother and neighbors broke the news of a body found in the abandoned pond near the party venue. “When my elder brother entered the pond, he pulled out my husband’s lifeless body. His hands were tied. My world has been shattered. We’ve only been married three years. He was excited about taking our son to school for the first time on Monday, but now he’s gone. I just want justice for his murder.”
Her brother, Razak, who was the first to pull Ezekiel’s body out of the swampy pond, described the horror. “The water only reached my waist. I felt around until I touched him. He was kneeling, with his hands tied. We rushed him to Badagry General Hospital, but the doctor confirmed him dead. He didn’t drown—when we pressed his stomach, no water came out. He was killed and dumped there.”
Community sources alleged that a scuffle broke out during the party, and that the celebrant allegedly ordered Ezekiel to be tied up. What happened afterwards remains unclear, but police have since launched an investigation.
One resident, who identified himself simply as Ben, blamed the loud music for masking Ezekiel’s possible cries for help. “Here, when parties are held, the music is always so loud you can’t hear what’s happening nearby. That’s why nobody knew anything until his body was discovered,” he said.
The Lagos State Police Command, through the Badagry Division, confirmed that investigations are underway. Statements have been taken from family members and eyewitnesses, while efforts are ongoing to track down those who attended the party.
For now, Bovita remains in shock, with residents mourning a man described as jovial, hardworking, and devoted to his young family. His death leaves behind a grieving widow, a toddler who may never understand the depth of the tragedy, and a community demanding justice.
No comments