A 26-year-old suspect, Williams Ikechukwu, arrested by the Rivers State Police Command for allegedly killing a Bolt driver and stealing his vehicle, has confessed to the crime and described how it was carried out.
According to The Nigerian Tribune, Ikechukwu claimed he paid ₦300,000 to some individuals to escort the stolen car to a location where it could be sold, with the men allegedly aware that the vehicle was stolen. The victim, Owoh Raphael, was allegedly killed on October 28 by Ikechukwu and his accomplice, Chukwu Patrick.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the Police Public Relations Officer for Rivers State, said the case involved conspiracy, kidnapping, and murder, based on information from a credible source.
The police stated that Ikechukwu lured the Bolt driver under the pretext of transporting him to a wedding. On the day of the incident, the driver reportedly arrived at Ikechukwu’s house, unaware of the plot. The suspects’ main target was the driver’s ash-coloured 2010 Toyota Camry. Ikechukwu was arrested while attempting to sell the car for about ₦7 million.
During interrogation, he reportedly admitted plotting the murder with Patrick. He explained that he contacted the driver through a church member and paid an advance for the trip. He said that when the driver was to come to his house, Patrick requested a pestle, which was bought and kept ready before the driver’s arrival.
Ikechukwu reportedly said that once the driver arrived, he offered him a drink while Patrick stood nearby. Patrick then allegedly struck the driver repeatedly on the head with the pestle until he died. Afterward, Patrick removed the driver’s shirt and took his phones, ATM card, and other belongings. Ikechukwu said he cleaned the room to remove blood stains, burning the bedsheet, and placed the victim’s body in a wardrobe because it was evening.
He also said, “Next thing was that we went out to look for a buyer for the car. Patrick recommended a place called Daewoo at Choba. He knew people there who could buy the car. The people we met said that they could not purchase a car except they saw it first.
“They gave us two drivers to follow us to my home. From my house, the drivers took the car to the location of the targeted buyers and one man showed an interest in buying it for N3 million.
“I told Patrick that we could not take someone’s life because of N3 million. I said we should leave the car there till the following day while I would make other calls to see if I could get someone else.”
Williams Ikechukwu reportedly explained that after the murder, he contacted a buyer for the stolen car, who lived in Ikoku. He and Patrick allegedly moved the driver’s body to a bushy, unoccupied yard behind his residence before arranging for two men, recommended by a friend, to drive the car to the buyer for a fee of ₦300,000. Ikechukwu said he paid part of the fee that night and the balance the next morning, but the police arrested him during negotiations.
He reportedly expressed remorse, admitting he felt bad and disappointed in himself, and said the killing was never his intention. Ikechukwu reflected that his actions were not about money, as he was already doing well, and advised youths against taking guidance from people who could lead them astray.
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