A tricycle rider, identified only as IK, has allegedly beaten his lover and mother of his two children to death following a heated argument, then fled, leaving her corpse with their young children in Ogbogoro Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The incident occurred along the CPM Street axis on Tuesday and has sent shockwaves through the community. A resident told newsmen that neighbours and passers-by were drawn to the scene when they saw the lifeless body of a woman and two toddlers inside a stationary tricycle.
According to the resident, police officers from the Ozuoba Police Division were contacted immediately. Upon arrival, they interviewed the older child, who is under six years old. The child reportedly told officers how her father used an object to beat her mother at a guest house where they had lodged on Monday night.
The resident further stated that after realising the woman could neither stand nor speak, the suspect drove the family out of the guest house, placed the children and the woman’s body inside the tricycle, abandoned them by the roadside, and fled.
Police later contacted the deceased’s sister, who positively identified the body. The remains were deposited in a mortuary for preservation and further investigation. The sister has since taken custody of the two children.
The Rivers State Police Command spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating that a passer-by reported seeing two children and a woman who appeared lifeless inside a blue tricycle parked by the roadside.
A patrol team moved to the scene and found the woman’s body and the two children, aged about five years and six months respectively.
The police spokesperson said an investigation is ongoing to apprehend the suspect and bring him to justice.
