The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a man for allegedly hacking his father, retired Marine Captain David Nwoke, to death during a dispute over property at Oro Ekpo Estate, Ada George, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Blessing Agabe, confirmed the incident on Thursday, saying the suspect was in police custody while investigations continued.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday morning, threw residents of the area into mourning as news of the killing spread.
A source familiar with the incident told Newsmen that the deceased had concluded plans to relocate to his hometown in the South-East and had invited his children to inform them of his decision and distribute some of his properties.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, alleged that the suspect, said to be a son of the deceased’s second wife, demanded one of his father’s cars, but the request was declined.
According to the source, the suspect allegedly hid inside one of the rooms in the house, waiting for his father to return from his routine morning exercise.
“The man had already settled all his children. It was the son of his second wife who insisted that he wanted one of the cars, even after his father had settled him. He said he would not allow his father to take the car to the village.
“The deceased was a retired captain who wanted to relocate to his village. He called his children and informed them that he intended to dispose of some of his properties and share them among them.
“All his children studied abroad, including the son now accused of killing him,” the source said.
The source further alleged that when the deceased returned home and went upstairs to freshen up, the suspect emerged from hiding and attacked him with a machete.
“He had gone for his routine exercise that morning. As he went upstairs to freshen up, he didn’t know his son was waiting for him. Immediately he entered the room, his son attacked him with a machete,” the source alleged.
The source added that a house help who attempted to intervene was also attacked but managed to escape.
“As the father cried for help, one of the house helps rushed in to stop the son, but he also attempted to attack her. Seeing that the door was open, the father, despite his injuries, managed to run downstairs.
“When the son caught up with him, he attacked him again and repeatedly macheted him until he died.
“He then collected the car key from his father’s body, went upstairs and locked himself in one of the rooms,” the source alleged.
According to the source, one of the maids alerted neighbours, who contacted the police.
“Following the distress call, policemen from the Rumuokpani Police Division arrived, arrested the suspect and took him into custody,” the source added.
Confirming the incident, the police spokesperson said, “I can confirm that the suspect is in police custody. Investigations have commenced with a view to ensuring that justice is served.”
She said further details would be made available as the investigation progresses.
