Police in Benue State have arrested the suspected killer of a retired nurse, Mrs. Esther Amali and her housemaid, Mercy Mwuese.
The victims were stabbed to death by the suspect who invaded their residence located around the Federal Low Cost, Makurdi, Benue State capital on Sunday, January 14, 2024.
Benue activist, Ukan Kurugh, who confirmed the development on Thursday, February 1, said the suspect identified as Jemilu Sule, was arrested in Obajana, Kogi State, where he had fled after the killing.
It was gathered that the suspected murderer had entered the compound and attacked the housemaid who was in her 20s at the time the retired nurse was away.
An eyewitness said it was at the point the attacker was stabbing the housemaid that the retired nurse returned to the house and was greeted with loud noise from the housemaid.
"As soon as the retired nurse entered and heard the cry of the housemaid, she rushed in only to see a young man stabbing Mercy (housemaid). Mama started begging and calling the name of the suspected murderer to stop but he could not listen to Mama’s plea as he went on to stab Mercy until she was unconscious and then faced Mama and also stabbed her multiple times,” the witness explained.
"Before help could reach Mama (retired nurse)the suspected murderer had escaped. But neighbours immediately arranged for a vehicle and conveyed Mama and the housemaid to the hospital,”
“While on the way to the hospital, Mama though, gasping for breath, was able to narrate how the incident happened in a little way. Unfortunately, she could not make it as she gave up the ghost before getting to the hospital.”