News
VENO TV | FEATURE NSCDC OFFICER ALLEGEDLY KILLED FOR MONEY RITUAL DAYS BEFORE HER WEDDING Josephine Cynthia Onche's disappearance leads investigators to a forest grave as fiancé denies involvement
Date: 08-10-26
By VENO TV News Desk
What should have been a season of celebration and marital joy reportedly ended in tragedy for Josephine Cynthia Onche, a 45-year-old officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who disappeared just days before her scheduled wedding.
Josephine was preparing to marry her fiancé, Christopher Akpan, on December 29, 2019. However, on December 20, her family declared her missing after efforts to establish contact with her proved unsuccessful.
According to accounts credited to the Network Against Domestic Violence Foundation, Josephine had travelled to meet her fiancé shortly before her disappearance.
As investigations progressed, attention reportedly shifted to Akpan, believed to have been among the last people to see her before she vanished.
Akpan was subsequently arrested but denied involvement in her disappearance or alleged killing.
THE NATIVE DOCTOR'S ALLEGATIONS
Investigators reportedly traced Josephine's last known movements to the residence of a native doctor, identified as Afolabi Akin Rafiu, in Adum, Obi Local Government Area of Benue State.
The native doctor, who had reportedly left the community, was eventually apprehended in Ogun State.
During interrogation, Afolabi allegedly claimed that Akpan brought Josephine to him for a money ritual.
According to the account attributed to Afolabi, Josephine was taken into a forest on December 19, 2019, where she was allegedly instructed to kneel for prayers before being shot.
The native doctor further alleged that her blood was collected in a calabash and her body buried in a shallow grave.
These claims remain allegations and should not be treated as judicial findings.
DISCOVERY AFTER 18 MONTHS
On May 27, 2021, investigators reportedly returned to a forest in Adum, where human remains believed to be Josephine's were recovered from a shallow grave.
The discovery brought a tragic development to a disappearance that had remained unresolved for approximately 18 months.
Despite the allegations, Christopher Akpan reportedly maintained his innocence, insisting that he loved Josephine and had been preparing to marry her.
A WEDDING THAT NEVER HAPPENED
Josephine Cynthia Onche never lived to celebrate her wedding day.
Her story raises troubling questions about intimate-partner violence, trust, personal security and the vulnerability of individuals who place their confidence in those closest to them.
However, the conflicting accounts underline the importance of a thorough investigation, credible forensic evidence and due process.
The judicial outcome of the case has not been established in this report.
VENO TV COMMENTARY
Marriage should represent love, companionship and security, never fear, exploitation or violence. Josephine's story is a painful reminder that allegations of violence against women deserve serious investigation and that justice must be pursued through the law.
Source Credit: Network Against Domestic Violence Foundation.
VENO TV — Giving Voice to the People.
www.venointernational.com
Date: 08-10-26
By VENO TV News Desk
What should have been a season of celebration and marital joy reportedly ended in tragedy for Josephine Cynthia Onche, a 45-year-old officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who disappeared just days before her scheduled wedding.
Josephine was preparing to marry her fiancé, Christopher Akpan, on December 29, 2019. However, on December 20, her family declared her missing after efforts to establish contact with her proved unsuccessful.
According to accounts credited to the Network Against Domestic Violence Foundation, Josephine had travelled to meet her fiancé shortly before her disappearance.
As investigations progressed, attention reportedly shifted to Akpan, believed to have been among the last people to see her before she vanished.
Akpan was subsequently arrested but denied involvement in her disappearance or alleged killing.
THE NATIVE DOCTOR'S ALLEGATIONS
Investigators reportedly traced Josephine's last known movements to the residence of a native doctor, identified as Afolabi Akin Rafiu, in Adum, Obi Local Government Area of Benue State.
The native doctor, who had reportedly left the community, was eventually apprehended in Ogun State.
During interrogation, Afolabi allegedly claimed that Akpan brought Josephine to him for a money ritual.
According to the account attributed to Afolabi, Josephine was taken into a forest on December 19, 2019, where she was allegedly instructed to kneel for prayers before being shot.
The native doctor further alleged that her blood was collected in a calabash and her body buried in a shallow grave.
These claims remain allegations and should not be treated as judicial findings.
DISCOVERY AFTER 18 MONTHS
On May 27, 2021, investigators reportedly returned to a forest in Adum, where human remains believed to be Josephine's were recovered from a shallow grave.
The discovery brought a tragic development to a disappearance that had remained unresolved for approximately 18 months.
Despite the allegations, Christopher Akpan reportedly maintained his innocence, insisting that he loved Josephine and had been preparing to marry her.
A WEDDING THAT NEVER HAPPENED
Josephine Cynthia Onche never lived to celebrate her wedding day.
Her story raises troubling questions about intimate-partner violence, trust, personal security and the vulnerability of individuals who place their confidence in those closest to them.
However, the conflicting accounts underline the importance of a thorough investigation, credible forensic evidence and due process.
The judicial outcome of the case has not been established in this report.
VENO TV COMMENTARY
Marriage should represent love, companionship and security, never fear, exploitation or violence. Josephine's story is a painful reminder that allegations of violence against women deserve serious investigation and that justice must be pursued through the law.
Source Credit: Network Against Domestic Violence Foundation.
VENO TV — Giving Voice to the People.
www.venointernational.com
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