CALABAR, Nigeria — In the quiet neighborhood of Abasi Obori of the Cross River capital city chaos erupted on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, following a deadly altercation between two lovers.
During a violent dispute, Esther Ndarake, 34, was reportedly beaten to death by her 54-year-old lover, Nkereuwen Etuk.
The tragic event occurred at 32 Abasi Obori Street, Calabar South LGA, leaving the community in shock.
The couple’s disagreement began on the evening of July 18, 2023, and quickly spiraled out of control when Mr Etuk allegedly started assaulting Ms Ndarake. Witnesses who wish to remain anonymous described a distressing scene.
“We can’t tell what happened between them, but we heard noises as the couple engaged in an argument,” one of the eyewitnesses stated. “Within moments, the dispute escalated into a horrifying display of violence, with Mr Etuk unleashing brutal blows on Ms Ndarake in their room. They lived together as lovers.”
Ms Ndarake reportedly collapsed and fell into a coma during the incident. She was rushed to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, confirmed the incident, commending the swift response of the Uwanse Divisional Police Officer, whose jurisdiction the incident falls under.
“The police rushed the victim to the UCTH, unfortunately she didn’t make it, as she was certified dead by a doctor at the hospital,” said Ugbo.
Following standard procedures, Ms. Ndarake’s body has been deposited at the hospital morgue, awaiting a comprehensive autopsy to ascertain the precise cause of her death.
“In the meantime, the suspect, Nkereuwen Etuk, is now in our custody, and we will ensure that he faces the full weight of justice for his alleged actions,” the police spokesperson affirmed.
This tragic incident serves as a grim reminder of the rising domestic violence cases, calling for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to ensure that this menace is stemmed.
