The Ekiti State Police Command has ordered a thorough investigation into the alleged killing of 25-year-old Kehinde Onizeokaraga by her husband, Ibrahim Sodiq, as the victim’s family demanded justice.
Sodiq, a butcher popularly known as Alfa Eleran, reportedly attacked Kehinde with a machete during a heated marital disagreement in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday.
The incident occurred when the couple reportedly met at the residence of Lamidi, a friend of Kehinde’s father, where efforts were being made to settle their differences.
The state Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, who confirmed the investigation, said the command would ensure that the perpetrator was apprehended and brought to justice.
But while the police began investigating the circumstances surrounding the killing, the victim’s family accused Sodiq of fleeing the scene after allegedly inflicting multiple machete wounds on his wife.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Kehinde’s cousin, Lawrence Yusuf, said the deceased had been planning to leave the marriage after becoming suspicious of her husband’s activities.
Yusuf said Kehinde had gone to Lamidi’s residence on Wednesday morning after the latter’s wife invited her, telling her that her husband wanted to see her.
He said Kehinde did not know that Sodiq would also be at the residence, adding that what was supposed to be an attempt to resolve the marital crisis eventually turned violent.
According to Yusuf, Lamidi, his wife and the man who stood as Sodiq’s father during the couple’s wedding had reportedly been taken into police custody, while the suspect remained at large.
He also alleged that Sodiq fled with Kehinde’s mobile phone, which the family believed could contain information useful to investigators.
A source close to the couple said Kehinde had previously left Sodiq’s home because of what the source described as irreconcilable differences, despite recent efforts by the suspect to reconcile with her.
“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,” the source said.
“But recently, there were efforts by the suspect to resolve the issue with her, which the deceased was not comfortable with.”
The source said the disagreement escalated into a physical confrontation, during which Sodiq allegedly attacked Kehinde repeatedly with the machete, leaving her with severe injuries.
Sodiq reportedly fled immediately after the attack, while Kehinde’s remains were later deposited at a morgue.
Yusuf appealed to the police and other relevant authorities to intensify efforts to arrest the suspect, saying the family was determined to see justice served.
“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,” he said.
