In a shocking incident that has left the residents of Idekan Farm Settlement in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, in disbelief, a man identified as Matthew James brutally killed his 55-year-old wife, Etim Mary, over suspicions of infidelity.
The tragic event unfolded around 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. Sources, including community members and police officials, confirmed to Elliptical News that James, who is currently in police custody, acted on his suspicion that Mary was involved in an extramarital relationship with another man from the community.
An anonymous eyewitness disclosed that police from the Ijebu-Igbo Division quickly apprehended James. The suspect reportedly claimed that he and his late wife had made a “blood covenant” to remain faithful to each other.
The eyewitness recounted, "They had a blood covenant not to leave each other. James suspected his wife of infidelity and attacked her with a machete. Despite the violent act, he did not flee; he remained beside her body."
Omolola Odutola, the spokesperson for the state police command, provided further details on the incident. She revealed that Mary was found in a pool of blood outside her home around 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, with severe wounds on her forehead, shoulders, and other parts of her body. Efforts by neighbors to rush her to the hospital were in vain as she was pronounced dead by an attending doctor at a general hospital in Ijebu-Igbo. Her body was subsequently transferred to the Alayangbe Private Mortuary for an autopsy.
Odutola added, "The husband was found at the scene with the blood-soaked machete believed to have been used in the attack. The case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Abeokuta following the preliminary investigation."
This tragic incident underscores the dire consequences of domestic violence and has left the community in mourning.
