By Habeeb Ibrahim
The Lagos State Police Command has announced the arrest of two principal suspects connected to the horrifying murder of a young woman from Nasarawa State, whose charred remains were discovered in the Gangare slum by the canal behind the Mile 12 Market on May 24.
In a statement released on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the command confirmed that the victim, whose name has been withheld for privacy reasons, was attacked and killed in cold blood before her body was set ablaze. Preliminary investigations revealed that the crime was premeditated and orchestrated by her estranged boyfriend, who is currently on the run.
Hundeyin clarified that contrary to circulating rumors and ethnic speculations, the victim was not of Yoruba origin. “She hailed from Nasarawa State and had been residing in the slum with her northern relatives. Her exact occupation is yet to be determined at this point,” he said.
According to the police, the gruesome act was the culmination of a lingering dispute between the deceased and her boyfriend, who allegedly conspired with others to carry out the murder after she ended their relationship. Two of the co-conspirators are now in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, where they are assisting police investigators in tracking down the fleeing boyfriend and other suspects.
“The killing of this young woman is a chilling act of conspiracy and premeditated murder that must be condemned in its entirety,” Hundeyin emphasized. He also dismissed unfounded reports that the incident had any link to blasphemy, stating, “There was no element of blasphemy involved. This was a crime of obsession and cruelty.”
The police spokesperson assured the public that normalcy had been restored in the affected slum and surrounding areas in Mile 12. He added that there were no signs of ethnic tensions or threats of reprisal attacks in Ketu, Mile 12, or any other part of Lagos State.
“Residents are urged to remain calm, avoid panic, and go about their daily activities peacefully. The police will ensure that justice is served,” Hundeyin said. He also appealed to the public to refrain from spreading misinformation, warning that unverified reports could incite unnecessary fear or tension.
The Lagos State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and promised to provide timely updates as investigations continue.
