Juliet Ochime: How 28-year-old fashion designer from Benue was beaten, raped to death in Lagos

Barely a few months after the brutal killing of Deborah Okwori, another young woman from Benue State has met a tragic end in Lagos. 28-year-old Juliet Ochime, a talented fashion designer from Ohuye village in Akunda Ito, Obi Local Government Area, was allegedly beaten, raped and left to die inside an uncompleted building on Mopo Road, United Estate, Sangotedo, on Sunday, October 3, 2025.

IDOMA VOICE reports that the incident has sparked outrage across the Igede community and online platforms, as residents struggle to comprehend the senselessness of the crime.

The uncompleted building, which had no gate and offered easy access, became the scene of Juliet’s death. Multiple access routes into the estate allowed perpetrators to act with impunity. Local shop owners described the area as eerily quiet and neglected, with wild grass covering parts of the unpaved road.

According to Juliet’s younger brother, Job Ochime, the news of his sister’s death reached him unexpectedly:

“On Monday, October 4, my sister’s neighbour called me to say something had happened. I rushed from Festac to Ajah, only to learn that my sister had been killed.”

Job alleged that Juliet had reportedly broken the windshield of a Toyota Corolla belonging to a man named Kingsley following a dispute. In retaliation, he allegedly called three people who attacked Juliet, tying her up, beating her mercilessly, and raping her before leaving her to die.

“They should have taken her to the hospital, but they abandoned her there, assuming she would regain consciousness,” Job said.

After being informed, Job reported the crime to Ogombo Police Station. Two women and one man, including the car owner’s wife and his brother, were arrested, while the car owner reportedly fled the scene. The case was later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, for further investigation.

Despite the arrests, Job claims that some suspects are still moving freely in the estate, and crucial evidence, including CCTV footage, has reportedly been withheld by estate management.

Juliet’s elder brother, Uche Friday, described her as calm, respectful, and hardworking, appealing to authorities for justice:

“We are appealing to Nigerians to help us get justice for our sister. That is all we want.”

The family spent ₦150,000 to deposit her body at a private morgue and paid ₦5,000 daily for seven days, adding to their grief and distress.

Residents and community leaders have called for urgent action. John Ona, Public Relations Officer of the Ito Youths Association, Lagos branch, urged Igede indigenes in Lagos to speak out:

“Let’s not remain silent while evil thrives. Today it’s Juliet; tomorrow it could be another innocent soul. Let’s rise for justice.”

This tragedy comes just months after Deborah Okwori, another Benue woman, was brutally murdered by her ex-lover in Lagos, raising concerns about the safety of young women from the state living in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

Authorities have assured the public that the suspects in Juliet’s case are in police custody and are being interrogated. SP Abimbola Adebisi, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed: “Three suspects, including two females and one male, have been arrested in connection with the incident. The case has been transferred to the State CID for further investigation.”