A man identified as Kenneth, a tailor by profession, has been remanded in custody by the Kaduna Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly murdering his ex-lover, Ebenezer Agada, in a gruesome machete attack. The incident happened in Kaduna, Nigeria, on April 14, 2023. Kenneth is said to have attacked Agada for allegedly ditching him after he invested six years and a significant amount of money in their relationship.
Kenneth had traveled all the way from Makurdi to Kaduna to win back Agada, who worked in a pharmacy along Waff Road, and resided in one of the schools with her Aunt on the same road. When he couldn’t get through to her, he purchased a machete and got it sharpened. The tailor then checked into a hotel near her workplace, waiting for the right opportunity to strike.
The Kaduna State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that the victim was rushed to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, where she was pronounced dead by a medical doctor on call. According to DSP Muhammad Jalige, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Kenneth attacked Agada with a machete and inflicted multiple injuries on her face and hands, cutting off her left hand entirely.
The suspect had gone to Kaduna Central Market to purchase the machete for N2000, where he claimed he invested so much money and time on the victim, whom he claimed to have had a covenant to marry and never leave each other. He was found unconscious in the midst of a crowd at NEPA Round About Kaduna and was almost lynched by the irate mob. The police were mobilized to the scene, and the suspect was apprehended.
The incidence has sent shockwaves throughout Kaduna, with many residents expressing concern over the rising incidence of domestic violence and deadly attacks on women. The police have assured the public of their commitment to ensuring justice is served, and the perpetrator is made to face the full wrath of the law.
The tragic incident highlights the need for couples to seek professional help in resolving issues and conflicts, rather than resorting to violence. The government must also prioritize policies and interventions that promote gender equality and protect women’s rights. This case must serve as a wake-up call for everyone to speak out against domestic violence and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions