The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested Manaseh Bitrus Jatau over the death of his 35-year-old girlfriend, Rebecca Ojonike Jeremiah. This followed an alleged dispute involving a phone call from another woman.
According to The PUNCH, police spokesperson Mansir Hassan disclosed the arrest in a statement on Friday. This came after Jeremiah’s body was discovered along Mai Angwa Street, Romi, at about 7am on September 5.
Hassan said officers from the Romi Outstation responded to the scene and found the woman lying lifeless.
“The lifeless body of the deceased was sighted along Mai Angwa Street, Romi, with cotton wool stuffed in her nose,” he said.
Woman pronounced dead at hospital
Police said Jeremiah was rushed to St Gerald Hospital in Kakuri, where a doctor confirmed her death.
Her body was subsequently deposited at the hospital mortuary for an autopsy as investigators began tracing her last known movements.
Preliminary investigation reportedly identified Jatau as the last person to contact Jeremiah before her death.
Police said he had invited her to meet him at Ebano Joint in Romi. Later, detectives traced and arrested him at his workplace, Tomato Jos Company, in the Maraban Jos area.
Police allege suspect confessed
Hassan said Jatau allegedly admitted during questioning that he and Jeremiah had fought in his room. This was after a phone call from another woman triggered an argument.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to having had a fight with the deceased in his room over a phone call from another lady, which resulted in her death,” Hassan said.
Police further alleged that Jatau admitted dumping Jeremiah’s body in an open field near his home. He did this in an attempt to conceal what had happened.
The allegations remain subject to investigation and have not been determined by a court.
Suspect remains in custody
Jatau remains in police custody while detectives continue investigating the circumstances surrounding Jeremiah’s death.
Hassan said the suspect would be charged to court once the investigation is completed.
Kaduna State Commissioner of Police Rabiu Muhammad condemned violence and urged residents to resolve disputes peacefully.
He also assured the public that the command would continue working to ensure justice for victims. Moreover, he encouraged residents to provide useful information to security agencies.
