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From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
A meat seller, Ibrahim Sodiq, popularly known as Alfa Eleran, has allegedly macheted his 25-year-old wife, Kehinde Onizeokaraga, to death in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday in the Dallimore area of the metropolis and was said to have followed a protracted marital dispute between the couple.
Sources said the couple, who hailed from Kogi State, had been having serious disagreements, with several attempts by close relatives and friends to reconcile them reportedly failing.
The husband was said to have attacked Kehinde during a mediation meeting held at the residence of one Lamidi, a friend of the deceased’s father, who had offered to help resolve the lingering dispute between the couple.
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.”
According to sources, a heated argument broke out between the couple during the mediation meeting and later escalated into a physical confrontation.
Sodiq allegedly attacked Kehinde repeatedly with a machete, inflicting severe injuries on her.
She reportedly died from the injuries sustained in the attack.
The suspect was said to have immediately fled the scene, while the remains of the deceased were later deposited at a morgue.
Speaking on the incident on Thursday, the Ekiti State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, said the Commissioner of Police, Falade Adegoroye Michael, had ordered a thorough investigation into the matter.
Abutu said the command was working to apprehend the fleeing suspect and ensure that whoever was responsible for the killing was brought to justice.
Meanwhile, the deceased’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 her husband’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 the 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 reportedly been taken into police custody, while Ibrahim remained at large.
He also alleged that the suspect 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.
“We want Sodiq 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,” he said.
The family also urged the police to investigate everyone allegedly connected with the circumstances surrounding Kehinde’s death and establish their respective roles in the incident.
