54-year-old suspect: I killed my girlfriend for burning my rice

A 54-year-old murder suspect, Nkeruewen Etuk, says he beat his girlfriend, Esther Ndereke, to death for carelessly burning his food (rice) and almost setting his apartment ablaze in Cross River State.

Etuk, who was arrested by police officers a few days ago, made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen after his parade at the command’s headquarters in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, on Friday, July 21, 2023.

The suspect added that he killed his girlfriend due to anger.

He said: “I became increasingly outraged by her failure to cook rice properly, which became a major point of contention between us.

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“She almost burnt down the house while cooking; she didn’t add enough water before turning on the gas and she almost burnt down the house.

“When I asked her why she behaved that way that was when we started arguing then I beat her up.

“I never intended to kill her; I have never had any serious issue with her for the past two years that we have been dating.

“Unfortunately, our altercation escalated, resulting in her tragic demise after she slumped during the fight.

“It was never my plan to kill her; I was only angry because she was careless and almost burnt down someone’s house.”

Speaking, the Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Gyogon Grimah, disclosed that no fewer than 19 suspects were arrested recently in the state for various crimes ranging from kidnapping, murder, vandalism, and armed robbery, among others.

Grimah said 12 suspects were arrested for armed robbery and attempted murder, while two others were apprehended for vandalising PHEDC power line.

The police commissioner added that five suspects were arrested for burglary and cultism.

The Star