Society Assistant Editor
Ninolowo Gbamboye
Victim,s Mother
The Delta State Police Command has confirmed that a man identified as Taye, who allegedly killed and buried his 13-year-old daughter, Davina, under questionable circumstances, has surrendered to the authorities after initially fleeing with his family.
The incident, which reportedly took place on September 7, 2025, threw the Ugbolokposo community in Uvwie Local Government Area into shock and outrage. After Davina’s sudden death and hasty burial, her father disappeared, forcing police to launch a manhunt. His eventual surrender came after officers arrested his wife, who claimed she had been away for over a week and was unaware of the child’s death.
Police spokesperson SP Bright Edafe confirmed the development in a statement, stressing that an investigation is underway. He noted that while suspicions are high, no conclusion will be reached until a medical examination is conducted.
“We cannot categorically say he killed her until an autopsy is carried out,” Edafe said.
Troubling Circumstances Surrounding Davina’s Death
Community accounts suggest the tragedy was rooted in family conflict. Davina had been raised solely by her mother, Miss Dorcas, for 13 years without any involvement from Taye. Recently, however, Taye reportedly asked to have his daughter spend the holidays with him, claiming he wanted father-daughter bonding time.
Believing it was an opportunity for her daughter to connect with her father, Dorcas agreed. But things quickly took a disturbing turn. Sources allege that Davina was emotionally distressed in her father’s home, often isolated and restricted by Taye, his wife, and relatives.
At one point, Davina reportedly called her mother, pleading to be taken back home. But Taye allegedly intercepted the call, dismissing her cries and assuring Dorcas that Davina would “adapt to her new environment.”
When school resumption approached, Dorcas requested that Davina be returned home. Instead, on the evening of September 7, she received a devastating phone call that her daughter was already being buried.
A Mother’s Shock and Community Outrage
According to witnesses, Dorcas rushed to Taye’s family compound only to be assaulted by him and his sister before being shown the shallow grave where Davina had been hurriedly buried. Neighbors say the girl had not been ill prior to her death, deepening suspicions of foul play.
The distraught mother collapsed at the scene and later lodged a formal complaint at the Ebrumede Police Station, demanding justice for her daughter.
Community members insist that the circumstances surrounding the death and immediate burial suggest a cover-up. Some allege that the family never intended to return the girl to her mother, citing recorded voice notes in which Taye’s relatives reportedly vowed that Dorcas would “never set eyes on Davina again.”
Conflicting Accounts and Police Investigation
While Taye has claimed that Davina suddenly fell ill, was rushed to the hospital, and later died—necessitating an immediate burial—many are unconvinced, particularly because he fled shortly afterward.
His wife, on the other hand, denied any role in the matter, saying she had been away from the home for a week. She is currently in police custody as investigations intensify.
The Delta State Police Command has assured the public that a full probe, including an autopsy, will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
Meanwhile, Dorcas and the community are demanding answers, with calls for accountability growing louder as the tragic story of a young girl’s life cut short continues to unfold.
Where she was found buried
