The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old man, Anikpe Valentine Chibuike, over the murder of his girlfriend, Ogechukwu Mmadubugwu, a 35-year-old single mother, in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of the state.
The arrest was effected by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, on January 7, 2026. The Command dismissed reports suggesting that the killing was carried out by individuals to whom the suspect was indebted, describing such claims as false and misleading.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspect, during interrogation, confessed to stabbing the victim in the neck with a knife, an action that resulted in her death.
“The suspect admitted that he stabbed the victim on the neck with a knife, which led to her death. The incident occurred at about 12 midnight on December 9, 2025,” Ikenga stated.
According to the police spokesperson, the suspect confessed that the act was allegedly committed over suspicion of infidelity. He further explained that after going bankrupt and becoming a chronic debtor while trying to establish a business for the victim, he became emotionally distressed, a situation that culminated in the fatal confrontation.
SP Ikenga also disclosed that the suspect admitted to planting a fake letter claiming that he had been kidnapped by people he owed money, in an attempt to mislead investigators and facilitate his escape after committing the crime.
“As part of the ongoing investigation, detectives have visited the mortuary where the deceased’s body was deposited,” he added.
The Command noted that the tragic incident has generated public outrage and reignited discussions on domestic violence and relationship-related crimes within the community.
SP Ikenga urged members of the public to always adopt lawful and peaceful means in resolving disputes, and to promptly report early signs of domestic violence to security agencies to prevent avoidable loss of life.
“The Anambra State Police Command encourages the public to seek peaceful and lawful ways of resolving disputes and to report early warning signs of domestic violence to the police and other relevant authorities,” he said.
He added that the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The statement was signed by SP Tochukwu Ikenga, Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Police Command, and dated January 11, 2026.
