The Bayelsa Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a middle-aged man accused of beheading his girlfriend in Sagbama area of the state.
Identified as Tony, the suspect reportedly killed Ebeibraaladi Maxwell in the early hours of Saturday, February 3, sparking outrage in the community.
The Police Spokesperson, Musa Mohammed, said the suspect was about to flee the scene of the incident but was restrained by community youths who subsequently handed him to the police.
The police also confirmed that the suspect and the victim were an unmarried couple who lived together.
“The suspect is being interrogated and will soon be charged to court while the remains of the deceased have been evacuated to the mortuary at Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa,” Mohammed said.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has called for calm over the incident.
In a statement by Doubara Atasi, his media aide, Ewhrudjakpo cautioned the Kabeama and Amatolo communities where the deceased and the boyfriend hail from, to desist from attacks.
He cautioned the girl’s community against reprisal, saying the government is taking appropriate measures to ensure justice for the deceased and her family.
“Security agencies have since swung into action in line with government directives on the matter,” he said.
This is coming a few years after the Bayelsa Police Command announced the arrest of Sunday Ojo, a suspected ritualist for attempting to slit the throat of Deborah Emafidon, his undergraduate lover.
The police said Ojo lured his girlfriend to a nearby bush and allegedly attempted to kill her for ritual purposes.
