The brother of late Rose Aifuwa, the Austria-based woman who was allegedly murdered on Christmas Day in Benin, Edo State, Mr. Nosa Ojo, has urged the Nigeria Police to leave nothing to chance in bringing her killer to justice.
The mutilated body of the mother of three was found at Upper Mission extension junction, along the Benin-Auchi Expressway in the early hours of Christmas when many Christians were making their way to the church.
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| The alleged killer |
Ojo said his sister, who hailed from Iguodo community, in the Uhunmwode Local Government Area of the state, returned to the country to celebrate the Christmas and New Year with her family.
He said she had demanded the payment of a debt running into millions of naira from the sale of goods she had imported for the suspect, one Festus Aimufua, who was a spare parts dealer in Benin and had spent the previous night with her in her residence on Lucky Way.
According to Ojo, it was while his late sister was trying to prevent Aimufua from leaving in his car, after refusing to pay, that he (suspect) crushed her and dragged her on the road for over 500 kilometres, before dumping her body at the junction.
He said he got a call that the lifeless body of her sister, who was supposed to attend a carol with her family on Christmas eve, was found lying on the busy expressway.
He said, “We drove to her house and saw the blood stains outside from where Aimufua dragged her body. Our family could not celebrate Christmas afterwards.
“Her children lost their father 19 years ago and she had been the breadwinner. Now, she is gone and every Christmas will become a reminder of sorrow for us. In fact, my 80-year-old mother is still traumatised by her shocking death.”
It was also learnt that the suspect had reported the incident to the Ikpoba Hill Police Division. He claimed to have killed her by accident, saying he was under the influence of alcohol.
But the family maintained that the late woman did not die by accident.
Ojo said, “He (Aimufua) called later in the night that he had an argument with Rose and while he was driving away, she stood at the front of his car and he use his car to push her away.
“How can you see somebody in front of your car and still move? He is responsible for her death.
“The Austrian government has waded into the matter, the Inspector-General of Police is also aware of the case, while the Commissioner of Police is investigating the matter.
“What we ask is that the police should use their good offices to bring to justice whoever is responsible. That is all what we want.”
The Edo police spokesperson , DSP Joseph Edoigiawerie, said the case had been transferred to the homicide unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of the late businesswoman.
He said, “The Austrian government contacted the police through the IG and requested the identity of the woman to really find out if she was an Austrian.
“Her passport has been sent to the Austrian embassy.”
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