Anambra Police Arrest Two Suspects, Unravel Circumstances Surrounding Oraifite Woman’s Murder
By Chizoba Njaka
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspects and uncovered the circumstances surrounding the disappearance and subsequent murder of a 33-year-old woman in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the state.
This was disclosed in a statement issued to journalists in Awka on June 17, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who identified the suspects as Thankgod Ikechukwu Ikwugwara, 26, and Makuochukwu Uzoigwe, 20, both are male and residents of the area.
According to the statement, the case began on March 13, 2026, when the deceased’s mother reported her missing at the Oraifite Divisional Police Headquarters. The following day, the body of an unidentified woman was discovered in a culvert near Jesus Bus Stop, Oraifite. Subsequent identification by the deceased’s father confirmed that the body was that of his missing daughter.
Following preliminary investigations, the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, for further inquiry. Through intelligence-led operations and digital forensic investigations, detectives were able to trace and arrest the two suspects on June 6, 2026.
During interrogation, the principal suspect, Thankgod Ikwugwara, reportedly confessed to the offence. He stated that he had maintained a relationship with the deceased for about three years and claimed he was unaware of her marital status. He further alleged that a dispute involving the deceased and her husband led to a vision-related ailment, which caused him to harbour resentment against her.
The suspect also confessed that he lured the deceased to his residence on March 13 under the pretext of seeking assistance with his health condition. He alleged that upon her arrival, he and the second suspect attacked her with a machete, resulting in her death. The suspects subsequently disposed of the victim’s body in a culvert near Jesus Bus Stop during the early hours of March 14.
The Police Command stated that both suspects have admitted their involvement in the crime and will be arraigned before the court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Commending the efforts of the investigative team, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, praised the officers for their dedication, professionalism, and persistence in unraveling the case. He reiterated the Command’s resolve to ensure that justice is served and to sustain efforts aimed at protecting lives and property across Anambra State.