Female Police Inspector’s Murder: 16 Suspects Arrested in Rivers

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested 16 suspects over the murder of a female Police Inspector and a mother of four, Mrs. Christiana Erekere.

The female police officer, Erekere, who was serving in Rivers State, was allegedly stone to death by youths numbering over 40 at her duty post at Taabaa in Khana Local Government Area of the state.

THISDAY gathered that the killers were travelling from Delta State to Akwa Ibom State for a wedding programme before they allegedly committed the crime.

A source, who pleaded anonymity and claimed to have witnessed the development, said the youths, who committed the crime, were about 40 in number and that they went on rampage when the police on stop-and-search operation in the area questioned the validity of the document of one of the cars they were travelling on.

The source said the youths had created a scene on the road blocking the major road and demanding that the Deputy Superintendent of Police, who had their car paper must return it and allow them go.

According to the source, the youths had seen Mrs. Ekerefe, who was on duty, fiddling with her phone and quickly pounced on her with stones and sticks claiming that she was making video of them.

The source said: “On April 25, 2024, at about 2:30p.m., Inspector Christiana Erekere (female) while on duty at Taabaa Division in Khana local Government Area of Rivers State, was beaten to death by some group of persons with three vehicles from Delta State going to Akwa-Ibom State for a marriage ceremony.

“The boys were intercepted at a stop-and-search point directly opposite a Police Station in Taabaa by a police officer attached to Taabaa police station. The particulars of one of the vehicles were collected by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) because of unclear explanation concerning the particulars of the vehicle.

“The police officer decided to go to the office so that he can be furnished with sufficient information. The deceased saw the way the boys were chasing her superior officer, she started raising the alarm for help so that the suspected attack will be prevented, but unfortunately, no one was there to assist or prevent these group of people that succeeded in attacking the police station and killing the innocent woman.

“The boys quickly attacked her because they said she was making video of them. Even when she fainted, they continued beating her and left her and drove away, and on their way to Akwa-Ibom State, they were apprehended. For now, about 17 persons were identified and arrested and others are still at large.”

Meanwhile, the family of the deceased woman has called for justice over the killing of their sister who was serving the country before she was attacked and killed.

The elder sister to the victim, Mrs. Nule Felix, noted that her sister was mercilessly killed and that she was rushed to a hospital but was only confirmed dead.

Nule said: “All efforts at the hospital to revive her was abortive. She has been deposited in the mortuary. She was a widow with four children and her aged mother who is over 80 years. We are seeking Justice.”

Reacting on the incident, the state Police Command said it has arrested 16 of the persons involved in the barbaric act, adding that investigations were still on.

The spokesperson of the Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu, led some senior officers of the Command to the victim’s family, noting that Christiana was killed in the line of duty.

Iringe-Koko said: “The Rivers State Police Command announces the arrest of 16 persons in connection with the tragic death of Inspector Christiana Erekere, who was murdered in the line of duty on April 25, 2024, at 4p.m.”

According to preliminary investigations, “The incident occurred when a group of individuals traveling in a Lexus salon car was stopped for routine checks at the checkpoint in front of Bori Police Station.

“However, the occupants became agitated and proceeded to barricade the road, obstructing the movement of other vehicles. After completing the necessary checks, the police officers requested that the individuals leave the scene. “Unfortunately, they refused, alleging that Inspector Erekere had recorded a video of their disruptive behaviour using her mobile phone.

“In their attempt to seize Inspector Erekere’s phone forcefully, they launched a violent attack against her, striking her with stones. The severity of the assault caused Inspector Erekere to lose consciousness, and she was immediately transported to Nnadum Hospital in Bori. Regrettably, she succumbed to the injuries sustained during the attack.

“The Rivers State Police Command has initiated a thorough investigation into this abhorrent incident, and all individuals involved will be apprehended and brought to justice. The Command extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased colleague during this difficult time.”