UROMI, Edo State — The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 40-year-old man, identified as Samson Ekata, over the alleged killing of his 18-year-old girlfriend, who was eight months pregnant, in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The suspect was paraded alongside other suspects by the police on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, during a briefing by the state Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, on the command’s efforts to combat crime.
According to reports, the deceased, identified in separate accounts as Celestina Monday, had reportedly been living with Ekata for about a year before the incident.
The police alleged that after killing the young woman, the suspect mutilated her body, severed one of her breasts and attempted to remove her unborn baby. He was also reported to have transported her body in a Toyota Corolla before dumping it by the roadside.
Speaking to journalists during the police briefing, Ekata reportedly admitted killing his girlfriend but claimed that he acted after hearing voices instructing him to do so.
The suspect said he initially resisted the alleged instructions because the woman was pregnant. However, he claimed that the voices returned in a dream about two weeks later, after which he carried out the killing.
He also claimed that a spiritual force instructed him to mutilate the victim’s body. These statements represent the suspect’s account and have not been independently verified.
Commissioner Daaor described the incident as horrific and expressed sadness over the death of the pregnant woman. He commended members of the community for providing information that helped the police apprehend the suspect.
The police commissioner assured the public that Ekata, who was reported to be in custody, would face the full weight of the law. He also urged residents to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing credible information that could assist investigations and help prevent crime.
Daaor further called on parents and guardians to pay close attention to the safety of young people, particularly girls, while advising women to prioritise their personal safety in relationships.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about violence against women and the safety of vulnerable persons in communities across Edo State.
The suspect remains accused of the crime, and the allegations will be subject to the appropriate legal process. No court conviction has been reported in the accounts reviewed.
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