Police arrest man for murder of girlfriend in A’Ibom

Ini Billie, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command said it has arrested one Ndifreke Isaiah Nelson for the murder of his girlfriend, Emem Monday Effanga.

Police Public Relations officer, DSP Timfon John said the suspect who also stole the mobile phone of the deceased after killing her, has confessed to the crime.

It was learnt that Effanga visited the deceased on  February 6, 2025, the morning of his birthday, and demanded to use her phone to take pictures for his birthday celebration on social media.

Her refusal led to a struggle in which the suspect overpowered and strangled her, struck her head on the floor with fist blows, and left her unconscious, but fled with her Itel Super Phone recovered during the arrest.

According to a press release signed by John on Monday in Uyo, the suspect who was the last person seen with the deceased was tracked to a church in Uyo, where he was arrested while trying to escape upon sighting the police.

“Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested one Ndifreke Isaiah Nelson, ‘m’, 32, for the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Emem Monday Effanga, ‘f’, 39, and stealing her mobile phone after committing the crime.

“Sometime in February 2025, the Command received a report that the deceased was found dead in her apartment under suspicious circumstances. Upon arrival at the scene, operatives observed visible marks of violence on her face and neck, suggesting she had been strangled and beaten to death.

“The scene was processed, evidence documented, and the body was evacuated to the hospital, where she was confirmed clinically dead by medical personnel. The corpse was thereafter deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

“A post-mortem examination has been conducted, and the cause of death has been officially documented by a pathologist. The suspect will be charged in court.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, has assured that justice will be served and warned against all forms of domestic violence and criminal acts” the PRO stated.