Residents of the Idekan Farm Settlement in the Ijebu-Ode area of Ogun State were left in utter shock and disbelief when a man named Matthew James brutally murdered his 55-year-old wife, Etim Mary. The tragic incident unfolded due to James’ suspicions that his wife was engaging in an extramarital affair.
Reports indicate that the horrifying event occurred around 8:00 p.m. on a Sunday evening. The details of this grim act have sent ripples through the community, with residents and law enforcement officials alike grappling to comprehend the tragedy.
According to our sources, Matthew James, now in police custody, committed this grievous act after becoming convinced that his wife was involved with another man in the community. This belief, which tragically turned deadly, was allegedly rooted in a deep-seated jealousy and mistrust.
An eyewitness, who requested to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the case, revealed that police operatives from the Ijebu-Igbo Division had swiftly apprehended the suspect. The same source divulged that James claimed he and his late wife had entered into a “blood covenant,” a binding agreement that they would never betray each other.
“They had a blood covenant that they would not leave each other,” the source explained. “James suspected his wife was having an extramarital affair. The woman had been married before she met James. He married her when she was already ageing, and she had grown-up children from her previous marriage.”
Further elaborating on the incident, the source recounted the chilling details of the crime. “James is claiming they both had a blood covenant not to leave each other for any reason. He just returned one morning with a machete and hacked the woman to death. He didn’t run away after committing the crime. He just stood beside her after.”
The spokesperson for the state police command, Omolola Odutola, provided additional details regarding Monday’s shocking incident. Odutola stated that Etim Mary was pronounced dead by the attending doctor after being rushed to the hospital by other residents.
“She was found lying in a pool of her blood just in front of the house about 5:00 p.m. on Sunday,” Odutola said. “She had deep cuts on her forehead, shoulders, and other parts of her body. The husband was found with the blood-soaked machete he was believed to have used to commit the crime.”
Odutola further explained that the victim’s body was transported to a general hospital in Ijebu-Igbo, where she was officially declared dead by the on-duty doctor. Her remains have since been moved to the Alayangbe Private Mortuary in Oke-Agbo, Ijebu-Igbo, for an autopsy.
“We will move the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Abeokuta as soon as the preliminary investigation is concluded,” Odutola stated, indicating that the case would be handled with the utmost seriousness to ensure justice is served.
Tragically, this is not an isolated incident. In a similarly harrowing case in April, a man named Dare Onipede from Ekiti allegedly killed his wife, Arinola, during a dispute over accusations of infidelity. The suspect reportedly stabbed his wife, the mother of three, to death during the altercation.
Such incidents highlight the grave consequences of unchecked jealousy and domestic violence, raising important questions about the underlying issues that contribute to such violent outbursts. The community remains in mourning, grappling with the loss and the stark reminder of the fragile nature of trust and relationships.
