The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a man, Ndifreke Nelson, for allegedly killing his girlfriend, Emem Monday Effanga, and stealing her mobile phone.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Timfon John, and shared with journalists in Uyo on Monday, the victim was found dead in her apartment under suspicious circumstances.
The statement reads in part:
“In February 2025, the Command received a report that the deceased was discovered dead in her apartment. Upon arriving at the scene, operatives noticed visible marks of violence on her face and neck, indicating she had been strangled and beaten.
“The scene was processed, evidence documented, and the body was evacuated to the hospital, where medical personnel confirmed her death. The corpse was later deposited at the mortuary for an autopsy.”
Following investigations, detectives traced the last person seen with the victim to be the suspect, Ndifreke Isaiah Nelson. Reports indicate that he visited her residence on the morning of his birthday.
Timfon explained that the suspect was tracked to a church in Uyo, where he attempted to flee upon seeing police operatives. However, he was swiftly pursued and apprehended.
During interrogation, Nelson reportedly confessed to visiting the victim and asking 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 his fists, rendering her unconscious before fleeing with her phone.
“An Itel Super Phone belonging to the deceased was recovered from him at the time of his arrest. 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 police spokesperson stated.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, reaffirmed the commitment to ensuring justice is served. He also warned against domestic violence and other criminal activities, urging the public to remain security-conscious and report suspicious incidents to the police.
