By Deborah Nnamdi
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old man, Thankgod Ikwugwara, for the alleged murder of his lover, a 33-year-old married woman, in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the state.
The victim, whose identity was withheld, was reported missing by her mother on March 13, 2026, at the Oraifite Divisional Police Headquarters. Her lifeless body was discovered the following day inside a culvert near Jesus Bus Stop in Oraifite.
Police said Ikwugwara was arrested on June 6, 2026, alongside an alleged accomplice, 20-year-old Makuochukwu Uzoigwe, following months of investigation.
The spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Awka, where detectives employed intelligence gathering and digital forensic analysis to track down the suspects.
According to Ikenga, the principal suspect confessed to the crime during interrogation. He reportedly told investigators that he had been in a relationship with the deceased for about three years and claimed he was unaware that she was married.
The suspect further alleged that after a disagreement involving the woman’s husband, he developed an unexplained illness that affected his sight. Believing the woman was connected to his condition, he allegedly plotted revenge.
Police said Ikwugwara confessed that on March 13, 2026, he lured the victim to his residence under the guise of seeking help for his illness. Upon her arrival, he and the second suspect allegedly attacked her with a machete, leading to her death.
Investigators said the suspects subsequently disposed of the victim’s body in a culvert near Jesus Bus Stop, where it was later discovered.
Ikenga stated that both suspects have confessed to their involvement in the crime and would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, commended the detectives involved in the case for their professionalism and dedication. He also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring justice for victims of crime and maintaining public safety across the state.
