A 33-year-old man, Ifechukwu Okechukwu, allegedly killed his 23-year-old girlfriend and secretly buried her in Anambra State.
The spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, Superintendent Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed the incident in a statement issued on Monday.
Police arrested and detained the suspect after receiving information from members of the public.
“The case was reported following credible information received from concerned members of the public, leading to the suspect’s arrest,” Mr Ikenga said.
According to the police spokesperson, operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department have taken over the case and launched detailed investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged murder and ensure the suspect faces prosecution if found culpable.
Police Commend Residents
Mr Ikenga said the police command commended residents of Anambra State for their vigilance, cooperation, and timely sharing of information, which has helped security agencies uncover criminal activities and apprehend suspects.
He added that the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, reassured residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, enforcing the law, and bringing offenders to justice.
The commissioner also urged Nigerians to continue supporting the police and other security agencies by reporting suspicious activities through emergency lines and nearby police facilities.
Murder Carries Death Penalty
Nigeria’s Criminal Code prohibits murder under Section 315(6). Under Section 319(1), courts may impose the death penalty on anyone convicted of the offence.
Courts across the country have handed down death sentences in murder cases. In June 2022, an Aiyetoro High Court in Ogun State sentenced Adelake Bara to death by hanging for shooting and killing Olaleye Oke. Similarly, a High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, sentenced Muritala Dare to death by hanging in January 2022 for fatally stabbing his colleague with a broken bottle.
