The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a man, identified as Lintex Ogale, for allegedly stabbing his estranged girlfriend, Deborah Okwori, to death in her Lagos apartment.
Confirming the incident in a telephone interview on Sunday, the command’s Deputy Public Relations Officer, Babaseyi Oluseyi, said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
Family sources told PUNCH Metro that Deborah, who was from Benue State like the suspect, had ended the relationship about two years ago but had since been subjected to persistent threats and harassment.
Her cousin, Laff Ijuo, alleged that Ogale repeatedly pressured Deborah to reconcile, warning her that if he could not have her, no one else would.
According to him, Deborah blocked him across communication platforms, but he kept creating new channels to reach her.
On Wednesday, Ogale allegedly disguised himself as a dispatch rider to gain entry into Deborah’s estate.
When he found her compound gate locked, he reportedly scaled through a neighbouring fence.
Armed with a knife, he forced his way into her apartment, cut off her cooking gas hose in an attempt to trigger an explosion, and then overpowered and stabbed her multiple times in the stomach and chest.
Neighbours who heard the commotion rushed to the scene, disarmed Ogale, and restrained him until the police arrived.
Deborah, however, died from the injuries, which her cousin said were so severe that her lungs were perforated.
“This is painful for the family. We want justice to be served, because we have seen similar cases mishandled in the past,” Ijuo said.
The killing adds to the growing list of domestic violence tragedies reported across the country.