June 27, 2013
SaharaReporters
The Bayelsa Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a suspect who allegedly stabbed his pregnant wife to death in Imiringi, a suburb of the state capital, Yenagoa. SaharaReporters learnt that the victim was seven months pregnant. The police stated that the tragic stabbing was triggered by a domestic squabble.
Police Public Relations Officer, Alex Akhigbe, confirmed the incident in Yenagoa on Wednesday. He said the suspect was arrested after the murder was reported to the police, adding that the police had commenced investigations into the matter.
“After preliminary investigations, the matter was transferred to the State CID for thorough investigation,” said Mr. Akhigbe. He added: “Right now, the suspect is in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department undergoing interrogation.”
Meanwhile, a source in the community told a correspondent of SaharaReporters that the stabbing, which took place on June 19, arose from a heated argument between the couple over an unspecified issue. The source said neighbors had overheard the couple engaged in a running argument which later degenerated into a physical fight. At one point, the irate husband reportedly reached for a kitchen knife and stabbed his wife in the chest.
“The woman fell down in a pool of blood, while the children in the house raised an alarm which attracted neighbors,” said the source. He added that the neighbors rushed to the house and hurriedly took the gravely wounded woman to a nearby hospital where she died shortly after.
“The woman lost so much blood and died a few minutes after arrival at the hospital,” the source said.
Meanwhile, the suspect’s father, who is a pastor, told reporters in Yenagoa that he received the terrible news with “rude shock.” He said he was away in Rivers State when members of his church phoned to inform him of the tragedy.
