A domestic dispute that ended in bloodshed has left the family of 25-year-old Kehinde Onizeokaraga in mourning while the husband who is alleged to have hacked her to death on Wednesday morning.has since been at large.
The incident occurred at about 6:50 a.m. in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. The suspect, Ibrahim Sodiq, popularly known as Alfa Eleran a meat seller, allegedly attacked Kehinde with a machete during a heated argument.
According to family and community sources, the couple had been invited to the residence of one Lamidi Salawu, popularly called “07”, a friend of the deceased’s father, to mediate unresolved marital differences.
Kehinde’s cousin, Lawrence Yusuf alleged that Kehinde had been planning to leave the nine-month-old marriage after noticing that her clothes and underwear were disappearing from their home. She had reportedly told her husband she was traveling to her sister’s residence in Idoani, Ondo State, for work on Thursday, September 10, as part of her plan to exit the marriage.
Yusuf claimed that on Wednesday morning, Kehinde was invited by Salawu’s wife to the house, unaware that Ibrahim would also be present. An attempt to reconcile the couple allegedly degenerated into a physical confrontation, during which Ibrahim reportedly attacked Kehinde repeatedly with a machete, inflicting fatal injuries.
He was said to have fled the scene immediately, allegedly taking Kehinde’s mobile phone with him. The victim’s remains were later taken away.
Family demands justice
Speaking on behalf of the family, Yusuf said they were devastated and are demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of Ibrahim.
“We want Sadiq to be found and arrested. We want justice for Kehinde. Her parents are in pains and my family is in serious agony. She didn’t deserve this,” he said.
The family is also calling for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the invitation to Salawu’s house, alleging that the mediator may have informed Ibrahim about Kehinde’s plan to leave. They urged police to establish the roles of all persons present, including Salawu, his wife, and the man who stood as Ibrahim’s father during the wedding.
Yusuf added that some individuals, including Salawu and his wife, have already been taken into police custody to assist with investigations.
As of the time of filing this report, the Ekiti State Police Command had not issued an official statement confirming the incident.