The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a man identified simply as Mr Abuchi over the alleged killing of his wife in Amaji village, Umuoyoro Community, Omuma Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesperson for the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident and the arrest of the suspect during a phone call with our correspondent, adding that investigation was ongoing.

“Yes, I can confirm the incident. The suspect has been arrested and the Commissioner of Police has ordered a detailed investigation to ensure timely justice,” she said.

The suspect was subsequently handed over to the Eberi Police Division in Omuma LGA.

Tragedy struck the community on Thursday when the couple had gone to their farm in Amaji village.

Although details of what transpired remain unclear, a source told our correspondent that an argument ensued between the couple, during which the suspect allegedly used a kitchen knife on his wife, a mother of two, leading to her death.

The source said, “People got to know about the incident when the woman screamed loudly. The scream attracted other villagers working around the farm. They rushed there, overpowered the man and restrained him.”

He added that the incident threw the community into shock and mourning, as residents wondered what could have led to the altercation.

A security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment, said the suspect reportedly told investigators that he did not know what came over him when the incident occurred.

Meanwhile, a human rights group, the Centre for Basic Rights and Accountability Campaign, described the incident as the height of man’s inhumanity and called on the police to conduct a thorough investigation.

The National Coordinator of the group, Prince Wiro, in a statement on Friday, said there was no justification for the suspect’s action, describing the act as condemnable. (PUNCH)

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