Rivers State Police Command, officers have arrested a suspect identified as Emeka, who allegedly led the gang rape and murder of Mrs. Chigbewejim Steward.
The wife of an assistant pastor, in the Abarikpo community of Ahoada East Local Government Area.
The heinous crime occurred on February 12, 2023, when Emeka, following an earlier quarrel with Mrs. Steward, broke into her house at midnight with his gang, kidnapped her, and took her to an unknown destination. Mrs. Steward was five months pregnant at the time.
Emeka had reportedly fled the community upon learning that the police were pursuing him.
However, he was eventually apprehended on Thursday.
The deceased’s husband, Lawyer Steward, who is an Assistant Pastor with the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Abarikpo, confirmed the arrest while speaking with newsmen.
“Yes, Emeka masterminded the death of my wife after he quarreled with her because she called him a wicked man.
He told my wife, ‘you will see wickedness today.’
And that night, around 1 am, February 12, 2023, those bad boys came to my house, broke the door, and took my wife away,” Pastor Steward recounted.
He continued, “My wife was five months pregnant.
Emeka and his gang raped and strangled her to death.
The police arrested him on Thursday.
Now he is in police custody.
I have gone to the station to give my statement.
I want the government to intervene so that justice will prevail.
I thank the police for their effort in arresting these bad boys.”
Pastor Steward alleged that Emeka and his gang were members of the cult group ‘Iceland’.
He described how his wife’s body was found several hours after her abduction, bearing multiple bruises and bleeding from her vagina near a fishing pond.
The late Mrs. Steward was known for her vocal opposition to criminal and cult activities in the Abarikpo community.
Her death has shocked and saddened many who admired her courage and outspokenness.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, stated that she would verify details with the Divisional Police Officer and provide further information.
As of Friday morning, no additional details had been received.
However, a senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that two other suspects had also been arrested in connection with the crime.
“It was not only Emeka.
Two others were also arrested by the Ahoada Police Division. They are all in custody,” the officer disclosed.
