The Rivers State Police Command has opened an investigation into the tragic killing of a seven-year-old girl, Alicia Olajumoke, who was allegedly stabbed to death by her minder in Rumueme, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, left residents in shock, with details still emerging as of the time of filing this report. Sources said the house help had gone to the victim’s school, picked her up, and taken her home before allegedly carrying out the attack.
The minder, identified only as Success, reportedly committed suicide shortly after, allegedly slashing her own throat.
Police spokesperson SP Grace Iringe-Koko said in a statement on Friday that the victim’s mother, Glory Joseph, alerted authorities after discovering what had happened. She said efforts to save both the child and the suspect were unsuccessful, as they were confirmed dead upon arrival at the hospital.
“The scene of the crime was visited, and photographs were taken. The victim was rushed to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead. The suspect was also rushed to the same hospital and confirmed dead,” the statement read in part.
Iringe-Koko added that the bodies of both the child and the suspect have been deposited in the morgue, while the case has been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCID) for further investigation.
Police say preliminary findings are ongoing and updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
Although such incidents remain uncommon, the case has renewed public concern over the screening and monitoring of domestic workers in Nigerian households.
