Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested one Ndifreke Nelson in connection with the alleged murder of his girlfriend identified as Emem Effanga.

Effanga, 39, was confirmed dead in a yet-to-be-disclosed hospital after she was allegedly strangled by her boyfriend.

The spokesperson of the Akwa Ibom Police Command Timfon John confirmed the incident in Uyo, the state capital on Monday.

According to the command’s spokesperson, the operatives visited the scene and discovered visible marks of violence on her face and neck, suggesting that she might have been strangled.

“Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested one Ndifreke Isaiah Nelson,32, for the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Emem Monday Effanga, 39, and stealing her mobile phone after committing the crime,” he said.

“Sometime in February 2025, the command received a report that the deceased was found dead in her apartment under suspicious circumstances.

“Upon arrival at the scene, operatives observed visible marks of violence on her face and neck, suggesting she had been strangled and beaten to death.

“The scene was processed, evidence documented, and the body was evacuated to the hospital where she was confirmed dead by medical personnel. The corpse was thereafter deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.”

The PPRO said that following swift investigations, “detectives traced the last person seen with the deceased to be Ndifreke Isaiah Nelson who had visited her residence on February 6, 2025, the morning of his birthday.

“The suspect was later tracked to a church in Uyo where he attempted to escape upon sighting police operatives but was swiftly pursued and apprehended.

“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to visiting the victim that morning and demanding to use her phone to take pictures for his birthday celebration on social media.

“When she refused, a struggle ensued, during which he overpowered her, strangled her with his hands, and struck her head on the floor with fist blows, leaving her unconscious before fleeing with her phone. One Itel Super Phone, belonging to the deceased, was recovered from him at the time of arrest.”

John who disclosed that a postmortem examination had been conducted and the cause of her death documented by a pathologist assured the public that justice would be served, adding that the case had been charged to court.

The operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Kano State Zonal Directorate, have arrested a popular TikTok influencer, Murja Kunya, for alleged naira abuse.

This was disclosed in a press statement by the anti-graft agency’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, on Monday.

According to EFCC, Kunya was arrested for allegedly spraying Naira notes for fun during her stay in a hotel room at Tahir Guest Palace located in the state.

The commission also added that a pursuit by its operatives followed her arrest after the TikToker jumped an administrative bail she was granted in February.

The statement partly read, “She (Kunya) was initially arrested in January 2025 for violating the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN Act, which prohibits the abuse and mutilation of the Naira. She was granted an administrative bail by the Commission pending her arraignment before the Federal High Court in Kano. However, when it was time for her court appearance, Kunya absconded, evading the legal processes.

“However, after weeks of intensive investigation and surveillance, EFCC operatives successfully re-arrested the TikTok Influencer on Sunday, March 16, 2025.

“She was subsequently conveyed to the Kano Zonal Directorate of the Commission, where she is currently in custody awaiting her arraignment.”

The commission, however, reiterates its commitment to enforcing laws protecting the integrity of the Nigerian currency and warned against acts of abuse, including spraying, stamping, or mutilating the currency during social events.

The Lagos State Government has announced a diversion plan ahead of emergency repairs on Independence/Mekwen Bridge, inbound the Marina/CMS route.

The state Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Oshiyemi, announced the diversion in a statement on Sunday.

Oshiyemi stated that the diversion would begin on March 19 and last until May 26, 2025.

“During repairs, the road from the National Open University of Nigeria through Bonny Camp Bridge to Independence Bridge will be closed to vehicles.

“Likewise, the service lane at Bonny Camp Underpass Bridge inbound Independence Bridge will not be accessible to motorists.

“However, the service lane from Ahmadu Bello Way to Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue will remain open to traffic,” he said.

Oshiyemi listed alternative routes for motorists to ease traffic flow during the repair period.

Motorists going to Victoria Island from Ahmadu Bello Way are to use Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Akin Adesola Street, Falomo Roundabout, and then Obafemi Awolowo Road to Ring Road.

Those heading to the Third Mainland Bridge should take Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Akin Adesola Street, Alfred Rewane Road, Osborne Road, and then link Ring Road.

Motorists going to Inner Marina and CMS from Ahmadu Bello Way should follow Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Akin Adesola Street, Falomo Roundabout, and Obafemi Awolowo Road to J.K. Randle Road.

Drivers heading to Ahmadu Bello Way from Inner Marina or CMS will go through the traffic access available.

Oshiyemi assured residents that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority would manage traffic throughout the diversion period.