A man identified as Ofofon and his girlfriend have been arrested by the police in Calabar, Cross River State, over the alleged murder of a young woman whose body was reportedly dismembered and sold.
The suspects were apprehended on Tuesday following allegations that the victim, said to be a friend of the woman, was lured to the couple’s residence in the Afokang area of Calabar South before she was allegedly killed and butchered.
According to residents, the female suspect, who works at a chemist shop, invited the victim to spend the night at their home. It was alleged that during the night, the couple murdered the woman and dismembered her body.
A resident of the area, identified as Theresa, told journalists that neighbours became suspicious after discovering blood flowing through a drainage pipe connected to the apartment.
She said the suspects had allegedly hoped rainfall would wash away traces of the crime, but when the rain failed to continue, visible bloodstains in the drainage system alerted residents, who subsequently contacted the police.
The resident further alleged that a minibus arrived at the residence around 2 a.m. and picked up the male suspect, who later returned the same night. According to her, the vehicle may have been used to transport the body parts.
Theresa also claimed that the female suspect told investigators she had been locked in a room by her boyfriend before the alleged killing occurred, although she suggested that the statement could have been an attempt to distance herself from the crime.
Additional claims made by the resident regarding the suspect’s past activities and family history could not be independently verified.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Command, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said the couple had been arrested on suspicion of murder.
He added that investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the case and establish the extent of the suspects’ involvement.
