Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have arrested a 58-year-old man, Vitalis Nwoko, over the alleged murder of his wife, Uloma, in the Umuagba community of Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area. The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, disclosed the arrest in a statement issued on Sunday night.
According to the statement, the deceased’s sister reported the case at the Ahiazu Mbaise Divisional Headquarters. She alleged that Nwoko violently assaulted his wife during a domestic disagreement, after which the victim was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was confirmed dead.
Okoye explained that police officers from the division acted promptly on the complaint and arrested the suspect. He said preliminary investigations revealed that a misunderstanding between the couple on 11 December 2025 escalated into a physical fight during which the woman collapsed.
The victim was taken to Cecilia Hospital in Ogbe, where a medical doctor confirmed her death. The police spokesperson added that further inquiries are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Okoye stated that Nwoko has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Owerri. The SCID will conduct a thorough investigation and prepare the case for possible prosecution in court.
He also relayed the message of the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, who urged residents to promptly report any cases of domestic violence to the authorities. The commissioner assured the public that the command is committed to dealing decisively with perpetrators of gender-based and domestic violence across the state.
In a separate development earlier in the month, the Imo State Police Command reported that its operatives neutralised two suspected kidnappers and arrested 12 others during operations in the state. The officers also recovered the body of a kidnap victim, several mobile phones, arms and ammunition in Agwa and Nekede areas.
Okoye said those anti-kidnapping operations were carried out by officers of the Agwa Division along Obudi/Mgbala Road in Oguta Local Council and by personnel of the Nekede Division in Umuezeruokam Forest, Owerri West. The recovered items and suspects are being processed as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks in the state.
The Commissioner of Police reiterated his assurance that the command will sustain aggressive operations against violent crime while also encouraging citizens to cooperate with law enforcement. He appealed to residents to share timely information on suspicious activities and to speak out against domestic abuse before it turns deadly.
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