The Ekiti State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation following the brutal murder of a 25-year-old woman, Kehinde Onizeokaraga, who was allegedly killed by her husband, Sodiq Ibrahim, during a domestic dispute in Ado Ekiti.
The suspect, a butcher based in the state capital, reportedly attacked his wife with a machete on Wednesday during an attempt to mediate their ongoing marital conflict.
Tragic confrontation during dispute mediation
Sources revealed that the couple, originally from Kogi State, had been experiencing severe marital friction. The deceased had previously left her matrimonial home due to unresolved issues.
According to a family member, Yussuf Lawrence, the fatal incident occurred after Kehinde was invited to a relative’s house under the impression of a peaceful meeting before her planned departure from Ado Ekiti. Unbeknownst to her, Ibrahim was also present.
What began as an intervention to reconcile the estranged couple quickly escalated into a physical assault.
Ibrahim allegedly inflicted multiple machete wounds on Kehinde, leading to her death, before fleeing the scene with her mobile phone.
Police launch manhunt for fleeing suspect
Confirming the incident, the Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, stated that the State Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, has ordered a detailed investigation into the homicide.
While some individuals present during the mediation attempt have been taken into custody for questioning, police tracking efforts remain active to apprehend Ibrahim, who remains at large.
Rising concerns over domestic violence in Nigeria
The tragic incident in Ado Ekiti highlights the persistent issue of domestic violence across the country.
According to reports by civil society organisations and gender-based violence (GBV) response units, intimate partner violence remains a critical social concern in Nigeria, often escalating due to a lack of early institutional intervention.
Law enforcement agencies and human rights advocates continue to urge victims of domestic abuse and families handling disputes to utilise official channels, including state-backed GBV referral centres and social welfare services, rather than informal interventions that could jeopardise the safety of those involved.
Read Also: Man kills wife after she confronted him for sleeping with another woman in Ogun
