The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspects for allegedly murdering a 33-year-old woman and dumping her body in a culvert near Jesus Bus Stop, Oraifite, in the Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects, identified as Thankgod Ikechukwu Ikwugwara, 26, and Makuochukwu Uzoigwe, 20, were allegedly involved in the killing of the woman on March 13, 2026, after luring her to a residence under the pretext of seeking her assistance.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Ikenga said the suspects were arrested by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department following intelligence gathering and digital forensic analysis that linked them to the crime.
According to him, the investigation began on March 13, 2026, after the deceased’s mother reported her missing at the Oraifite Divisional Police Headquarters.
The statement read in part, “The Anambra State Police Command has successfully unravelled the circumstances surrounding the disappearance and murder of a 33-year-old woman and arrested two suspects in connection with the crime in Oraifite.
“The suspects, both males, are Thankgod Ikechukwu Ikwugwara, 26, and Makuochukwu Uzoigwe, 20.
“The case originated on March 13, 2026, when the deceased’s mother reported her missing at the Oraifite Divisional Police Headquarters.
“The following day, March 14, 2026, the lifeless body of an unidentified woman was discovered inside a culvert near Jesus Bus Stop, Oraifite. The deceased’s father later identified the body as that of his missing daughter.
“Following the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for a comprehensive investigation, operatives, leveraging intelligence and digital forensic leads through sustained efforts, eventually arrested the two suspects on June 6, 2026.”
Ikenga said the principal suspect, Ikwugwara, confessed during interrogation and allegedly admitted to planning the killing.
According to the police spokesperson, the suspect claimed he had been in a relationship with the deceased for about three years and was unaware that she was married.
“He further alleged that after a disagreement with the deceased’s husband, he developed a strange illness that affected his sight and, out of resentment, plotted the attack.
“The suspect confessed that on March 13, 2026, he lured the deceased to his residence under the guise of seeking help because of his illness.
“Upon her arrival, he and the second suspect allegedly attacked her with a machete, resulting in her death. They subsequently disposed of the body in a culvert near Jesus Bus Stop, Oraifite, in the early hours of the following day.
“Both suspects have confessed to their involvement in the crime and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.
Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ikioye Orutugu, commended the detectives for their resilience and professionalism in unravelling the case.
He added that the commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring justice for victims of crime and sustaining efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.
