The usually peaceful Bovita central neighborhood in Badagry, Lagos State, is now engulfed in sorrow following the tragic death of 28-year-old craftsman Ayienugba Ezekiel. His lifeless body was discovered in an abandoned fish pond, his hands bound tightly behind his back.
News of the incident spread rapidly throughout the community on the evening of Saturday, September 13, 2025, leaving residents shaken and filled with fear and unanswered questions.
Upon visiting the family’s humble residence, the heavy atmosphere of grief was palpable. The loss has left a profound void, especially for Ezekiel’s young wife, 24-year-old Abiola.
Holding their toddler close, she struggled to speak through her tears. “That morning, my husband went out to watch a football match nearby. Later, I called him because we ran out of gas while I was cooking. He came back, refilled the cylinder, and then went to feed his pigs on the farm,” she recounted.
Her voice faltered as she described their final moments together: “We had dinner around 6 p.m., and he told me he was heading to a birthday party. When he didn’t return by 9 p.m., I tried calling him, but his phone was off. That was unusual, and I became very worried.”
With tears streaming down her cheeks, Abiola shared how a neighbor brought the devastating news that a body had been found in the old fish pond near the party location.
“At first, we couldn’t find him. My older brother waded into the pond and eventually found him. His hands were tied behind his back. My life feels shattered. We’ve only been married three years. He was so looking forward to taking our son to school for the first time on Monday. Now, he’s gone. I just want justice for what happened to him.”
Razak, her brother and the first to retrieve Ezekiel’s body from the murky water, recounted the harrowing experience.
“The water was waist-deep when I entered. I searched carefully until I felt him kneeling with his hands bound. We pulled him out, took photos, and rushed him to Badagry General Hospital, but the doctor confirmed he was dead,” he said.
He added with conviction why the family believes foul play was involved: “We pressed his stomach, and no water came out, so he didn’t drown. He was killed before being dumped in the pond.” The family promptly reported the incident to the police and deposited the body at the morgue around 2 a.m.
Dispute at the Party
According to local accounts, a confrontation erupted during the birthday celebration, with the host allegedly ordering Ezekiel to be restrained. What transpired afterward remains unclear and is currently under police investigation.
A community member who identified himself as Ben explained, “The music at parties here is usually so loud that no one can hear anything else. If it weren’t for the noise, someone might have heard Ezekiel’s cries for help.”
The Lagos State Police Command, through the Badagry Division, has confirmed that an inquiry is underway. Statements have been collected from family members and witnesses, and efforts are ongoing to locate all attendees of the party.
Meanwhile, Bovita residents remain unsettled, grappling with the grim reality of Ezekiel’s death. Many remember him as a cheerful man devoted to his family, whose sudden passing has left his wife and child facing an uncertain future.
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