In a horrifying incident that unfolded around the Federal Low Cost area in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, a retired nurse, Mrs Esther Amali, and her housemaid, Mercy Mwuese, fell victim to a fatal stabbing carried out by a young man who invaded their residence.
The grim event occurred on Sunday at approximately 4:30 pm, according to an eyewitness account shared with our correspondent. The assailant, described as a young man, entered the compound and launched an attack on the housemaid, Mercy Mwuese, who was in her 20s, during the absence of the retired nurse.
Conflicting versions of the motive behind the attack have emerged. One account suggests that the housemaid may have been impregnated by a member of a rival cult, leading to a gruesome retaliation. Another version implies a personal dispute between the housemaid and the suspected murderer regarding the paternity of her child, accusing the assailant’s friend.
The suspected murderer had allegedly warned the deceased housemaid to cease associating his friend with her child’s paternity, creating an atmosphere of tension prior to the tragic incident.
The assailant gained access to the house by scaling a fence, targeting the housemaid in the absence of the retired nurse. As the attacker stabbed the housemaid, the retired nurse, Mrs Esther Amali, returned to the house and witnessed the horrifying scene.
Despite Mrs Amali’s desperate pleas for the assailant to stop, he continued the brutal attack, stabbing both the housemaid and the retired nurse multiple times. The attacker managed to escape before help arrived.
Neighbours promptly arranged for transportation to convey the victims to the hospital. Mrs Amali, although gasping for breath, managed to narrate the incident en route to the hospital. Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries and passed away before reaching medical assistance.
The remains of Mrs Esther Amali and Mercy Mwuese have been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre in Makurdi. Meanwhile, a compassionate neighbour has taken custody of the baby left behind by the deceased housemaid.
As the community grapples with the shock of this senseless act, the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, has promised to provide further information on the incident. The investigation into this tragic event is ongoing.