Man beats girlfriend to death for refusing him phone to take pictures

The operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have apprehended a man for the alleged murder of his 39-year-old girlfriend, Emem Effanga.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, March 17, 2025.

John said the command received a report that the deceased was found dead in her apartment under suspicious circumstances.

John stated that upon arrival at the scene, police operatives observed visible marks of violence on her face and neck, suggesting she had been beaten and strangled to death.

The police spokesperson noted: “The scene was processed, evidence documented, and the body was evacuated to the hospital, where she was confirmed clinically dead by medical personnel.

“The corpse was thereafter deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

“Following swift investigations, detectives traced the last person seen with the deceased to be the suspect, who had visited her residence on February 6.

“The suspect was later tracked to a church in Uyo, where he attempted to escape upon sighting police operatives, but was swiftly pursued and apprehended.”

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John added that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to visiting the victim and demanding to use her phone to take pictures for his birthday celebration on social media.

John stated: “The suspect said that a struggle ensued when the deceased refused him the use of her phone.

“During the struggle, he overpowered her, strangled her with his hands, and struck her head on the floor with fist blows, leaving her unconscious before fleeing with her phone, One Itel Super Phone.”

She said the victim’s phone was recovered from the suspect at the time of arrest, adding that a post-mortem examination had been conducted, and the cause of death had been officially documented by a pathologist.

John said: The suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

“The Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, has assured that justice will be served and warned against all forms of domestic violence and criminal acts.”

The police spokesperson urged the public to remain security conscious and report suspicious activities to the police.

The Star