BTvNEWS

Suspect allegedly fought deceased over phone call, dumped body in bid to conceal crime

By AbdulHakeem Mutiu Adejumo-Ajeseku, Kaduna-Nigeria

BTvNEWS: Operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command have arrested a man, Manaseh Bitrus Jatau, in connection with the death of his 35-year-old girlfriend, Rebecca Ojonike Jeremiah, of Karatudu Area, Kaduna.

The Command disclosed that the incident occurred after the suspect allegedly invited the deceased to meet him at Ebano Joint, Romi, before a subsequent confrontation reportedly resulted in her death.

According to the police, information was received from the Officer-in-Charge of Romi Outstation at about 7:00 a.m. on September 5, 2026, that the lifeless body of the deceased had been sighted along Mai Angwa Street, Romi, with cotton wool reportedly stuffed in her nose.

Police detectives from Romi Outstation immediately visited the scene and evacuated the victim to St. Gerald Hospital, Kakuri, Kaduna, where a medical doctor confirmed her dead.

The deceased’s corpse was subsequently deposited at the hospital mortuary pending an autopsy to determine the precise cause of death.

Preliminary investigations, the police said, established that Jatau was the last person to have contacted the deceased and allegedly invited her to meet him at Ebano Joint.

Following the development, detectives traced and arrested the suspect at his workplace, Tomato Jos Company, Maraban Jos Area, Kaduna.

During interrogation, the police said the suspect confessed to having had a physical altercation with the deceased in his room over a phone call from another woman.

According to the Command, the suspect further confessed that the altercation resulted in the woman’s death and that he subsequently dumped her body in an open field close to his residence in an alleged attempt to conceal the crime.

The suspect remains in police custody as investigation continues.

The Command said the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

Commenting on the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, psc, mni, condemned all forms of violence and urged members of the public to embrace peaceful means of resolving disputes.

“All acts of violence are condemnable, and members of the public are urged to seek peaceful means of resolving disputes,” the Commissioner stated.

CP Muhammad further reassured residents of Kaduna State of the Command’s commitment to ensuring justice for victims and bringing anyone found responsible for criminal acts to justice.