Police arrest man, girlfriend over murder of woman

The Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad of the Enugu State Police Command has apprehended a man and his girlfriend in connection with the abduction and murder of a 70-year-old woman, Mrs. Mary Nwatu.

According to the police, the suspects were accused of burying the victim in a shallow grave after her death in September 2024.

In a statement, the spokesperson of the Enugu State Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe, identified the suspects as a 33-year-old man and his girlfriend, both natives of Onuorie-Obuno in Akpugo Community, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Ndukwe stated that preliminary investigations revealed Mrs. Nwatu was reported missing on September 15, 2024, after repeated efforts by her family to locate her failed.

He further explained that the principal suspect, who is also a kinsman of the deceased, began contacting the victim’s children on October 5, 2024, demanding a ransom of N6 million for her release.

The police spokesman added that following credible intelligence, the suspect was arrested and confessed to the crime.

“He stated that the victim came to their house to look for his mother when he kidnapped, murdered, and buried her in a shallow grave inside an uncompleted building in the compound.

“He also confessed to demanding a ransom from the victim’s children, initially asking for six million Naira (N6,000,000.00), which was later negotiated to three million Naira (N3,000,000.00).

“He eventually received payment of twenty thousand Naira (N20,000.00), which was for him to allow the children to hear their mother’s voice via the phone before further payments,” Ndukwe said.

The police spokesperson also revealed that the suspect’s girlfriend admitted to knowing about the crime but failed to report it to the authorities.

“The victim’s remains have been exhumed and deposited at a mortuary for preservation and autopsy,” he added.

Ndukwe assured the public that the suspects, along with any other accomplices, would be charged to court upon the completion of investigations.