The Delta State Police Command has arrested a fleeing former vice chairman of Okolor Inland community, Udu Local Government Area of the state, Austin Ejovwo, who allegedly murdered his lover, Felicia Akpomeria.

 

Spokesperson of the command, DSP Bright Edafe, who confirmed the incident, said the suspect was arrested at a hideout in Ologbo community, Edo State on Monday, June 19, 2023.

 

Felicia, a 45-year-old mother of four, was found dead in her lover’s bedroom apartment in the pool of her blood from machete cut wounds on Friday, while the suspect, Ejovwo, fled into thin air.

 

According to family sources, Ejovwo had been in an amorous relationship with the deceased for over a year.

 

The discovery of the remains of Felicia led to tension between Ubogo (the victim’s community) and Okolor inland (the suspect’s community) as angry youths spoiled for a showdown.

 

Godwin Laya, a relative of the victim, said, “We are a bit relieved that the killer of our sister has been arrested. We thank the police who acted swiftly. We call on the government to handle the matter very well and ensure that justice is done. Felicia cannot die in vain,”

 

Narrating how Felicia was lured for the slaughter by her lover, he said, “Felicia was aged 45 with four children – three girls and a boy from her failed marriage before meeting the suspect. She was the only child of her father, the aged mother is alive. Austin called Felicia to come over to Okolor on Thursday evening.

 

“On Friday afternoon, we got a call from Okolor that Austin has killed Felicia. So, I sent two emissaries, and when they returned and confirmed the report, I and others joined them, and we went over there,” he explained.

 

“On getting there, we found Police from Ovwian already removing her corpse in an ambulance, and they invited us over to the station. Felicia’s daughter and others have made the statement.

 

“We were told that when neighbours didn’t hear from Austin on Friday morning, they decided to check his door and discovered he left at night, so they went to the back window and peeped, from there, they saw Felicia in her pool of blood.

 

“This led them to raise the alarm, and the door was broken down, on getting to the room, several fetish and idol-worshipping paraphernalia littered the floor.

 

“Felicia’s naked corpse was rested on a corner. Several machet blows were seen in the back of her head and chest. We don’t know whether any organ has been removed because she was covered in blood.” Laya narrated.

 

Another family member said, “The daughter told us that Austin was owing Felicia over N300,000 and had called Austin to demand the money. That after several calls, Austin, on the evening of Thursday, called her to come at night. We didn’t know he had such devilish intention.”