. Police launch manhunt for suspect
. He fled with deceased’s mobile phone – Cousin
A meat seller, Sodiq Ibrahim, has allegedly hacked his 25-year-old wife, Kehinde Onizeokaraga, to death in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
The incident occurred during the settlement of a marital disagreement between the feuding couple.
According to sources, the couple, who are from Kogi State, had been experiencing domestic challenges, which reportedly culminated in the fatal attack on the woman.
A source familiar with the couple said in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, “I am aware they had issues in the marriage to the extent that the lady had left the man’s house due to some irreconcilable differences.
“But recently, there were efforts by the suspect to resolve the issue with her, which the deceased was not comfortable with.”
He said the disagreement degenerated to a physical confrontation, during which Sodiq allegedly attacked Kehinde repeatedly with a machete and inflicted severe injuries that resulted in her death.
The husband was said to have immediately fled after the incident and his whereabouts remain unknown.
The body of the deceased had been deposited in the mortuary.
A family member and cousin of the deceased, Yussuf Lawrence, who said the family was devastated by the killing, appealed to the police and other relevant authorities to intensify efforts to apprehend the suspect.
Lawrence said the incident occurred in the process of some individuals trying to mediate in the dispute between the couple.
He said, “While Kehinde was preparing to leave Ado Ekiti, she was invited to the residence of her father’s friend, who they said wanted to see her. Kehinde went to the residence on Wednesday morning, unaware that her husband would also be present.
“An attempt to resolve the couple’s marital disagreement subsequently degenerated into the fatal attack.”
Lawrence, who said Ibrahim had remained at large, alleged that some persons had reportedly been taken into police custody over the matter.
He also alleged that Ibrahim fled with Kehinde’s mobile phone, which he said the family believed contained information that could assist the police in their investigation.
He said, “We want Sadiq (Ibrahim) to be found and arrested. We want justice for Kehinde. Her parents are in pain and my family is in serious agony. She didn’t deserve this.”
State Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, confirmed the incident.
“The Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter to ensure that the perpetrator is apprehended and brought to justice,” he said.
