Police arrest man for allegedly strangling girlfriend to death
OPERATIVES of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested one Ndifreke Nelson for allegedly strangling her girlfriend, identified as Emem Effanga, to death in her apartment over phone.
The Police Public Relations officer, Timfon John, in a statement, yesterday, said the suspect was arrested in a church in Uyo, where he attempted to escape upon sighting police operatives.
Her words: “Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested one Ndifreke Nelson for alleged murder of his girlfriend, Emem 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 clinically dead by medical personnel. The corpse was, thereafter, deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
“Following swift investigations, detectives traced the last person seen with the deceased to be Ndifreke Nelson, who had visited her residence on February 6, 2025, the morning of his birthday.”
The PPRO added that 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, and when she refused, a struggle ensued, during which he overpowered her, strangled her and struck her head on the floor with his fist, 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. A post-mortem examination has been conducted, and the cause of death has been officially documented by a pathologist. The suspect will be charged to court.”
“The Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, has assured that justice will be served and warned against all forms of domestic violence and criminal acts. He urges the public to remain security conscious and report suspicious activities to the Police,” John further stated.
