A man identified as Ibrahim Sodiq has allegedly macheted his 25-year-old wife, Kehinde Onizeokaraga, to death during a marital disagreement in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Nigerian Tribune gathered that the couple, who hailed from Kogi State, had been experiencing domestic challenges, which reportedly culminated in the fatal attack on the woman.
The incident, it was learnt, occurred on Wednesday around the Dallimore area of Ado-Ekiti.
Sources said Sodiq, popularly known as Alfa Eleran and a meat seller, allegedly attacked his wife with a machete during a heated argument while efforts were being made to resolve their marital differences.
The couple had reportedly gone to the residence of one Lamidi, a friend of the deceased’s father, who had offered to mediate in the unresolved dispute between them.
A source said, “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.”
The disagreement reportedly escalated into a physical confrontation, during which Sodiq allegedly attacked Kehinde repeatedly with the machete, inflicting severe injuries that eventually led to her death.
The suspect was said to have fled the scene immediately after the incident, while the deceased’s remains were reportedly deposited at a morgue.
As of the time of filing this report, the Ekiti State Police Command had yet to officially comment on the incident.
However, speaking on Thursday, the victim’s cousin, Lawrence Yusuf, who spoke on behalf of the family, alleged that Kehinde had been planning to leave the marriage after becoming suspicious of the man’s activities.
Yusuf alleged that while Kehinde was preparing to leave Ado-Ekiti, she was invited to the residence of her father’s friend, Lamidi, by his wife, who told her that her husband wanted to see her.
According to him, Kehinde went to the residence on Wednesday morning, unaware that her husband would also be present.
He said an attempt to resolve the couple’s marital disagreement subsequently degenerated into the fatal attack.
Yusuf further alleged that some persons, including Lamidi, his wife and the man who stood as Ibrahim’s father during the couple’s wedding ceremony, had been reportedly taken into police custody, while Ibrahim remained at large.
The victim’s cousin 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.
Yusuf said the family was devastated by the killing and appealed to the police and other relevant authorities to intensify efforts to apprehend the suspect.
According to him, “We want Sadiq 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.”
The family also urged the police to investigate all those allegedly connected with the circumstances surrounding Kehinde’s death and establish their respective roles in the incident.