The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has detained a man, Ndifreke Nelson, over the suspected murder of his girlfriend, Emem Effanga.
Effanga, 39, was confirmed dead at an undisclosed hospital after allegedly being strangled by her boyfriend.
On Monday, the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, issued a statement in Uyo to this effect.
She said the suspect was arrested after the command received a report that the deceased was found unconscious in her apartment.
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The command’s spokesperson stated that operatives arrived at the scene and found visible marks of violence on the deceased’s face and neck, indicating possible strangulation. She added that the last person seen with the deceased was traced to Nelson, who visited her residence on the morning of his birthday, February 6, 2025.
She revealed that officers tracked the suspect to a church in Uyo, where he was apprehended. She further stated that he admitted to visiting the victim that morning and requesting her phone to take pictures for his birthday post on social media.
The statement reads in part, “Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested one Ndifreke Isaiah Nelson,32, for the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Emem Monday Effanga, 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 dead by medical personnel. The corpse was thereafter deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.”
The PPRO stated further that following swift investigations, “detectives traced the last person seen with the deceased to be Ndifreke Isaiah Nelson, who had visited her residence on February 6, 2025, the morning of his birthday.
“The suspect was later tracked to a church in Uyo, where he attempted to escape upon sighting police operatives but was swiftly pursued and apprehended.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to visiting the victim that morning and demanding to use her phone to take pictures for his birthday celebration on social media.
“When she refused, a struggle ensued, during which he overpowered her, strangled her with his hands, and struck her head on the floor with fist blows, leaving her unconscious before fleeing with her phone. One Itel Super Phone, belonging to the deceased, was recovered from him at the time of arrest.”
John confirmed that a postmortem examination had been carried out, with the cause of death officially recorded by a pathologist. She assured the public that justice would be served and stated that the case had been taken to court.
She said Commissioner of Police Baba Mohammed Azare seized the moment to caution against domestic violence and other criminal activities. He also urged the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to security agencies.
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