By Ruth Oginyi
Laulo Isa, the 20-year-old herdsman who reportedly raped a 54-year-old woman to death at Ugwulangwu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, says he deserved to die by his action.
The suspect who was paraded by the Ebonyi Police Command on Tuesday said he committed the act on the influence of alcohol.
Isa, an indigene of Nasarawa State, confirmed approaching the deceased for sex but when the victim declined he attacked her in a bid to forcefully have his way.
The suspect reportedly raped the victim, Mary Okereke, to death when the deceased was returning from farm at about 7pm on Friday December 27, 2019.
The remains of the deceased were later discovered on Saturday December 28 at a bush along Ufuzueraku road in Ugwulangwu community.
The suspect who regretted the outcome of his actions said he was drunk, adding that it was difficult for him to explain how the incident happened.
“I am Laulo Isa, I am from Nassarawa. I came for work here in Ebonyi. I was seriously drunk and saw a woman in the night walking along the road. I approached her for sex and she started abusing me.
“We started abusing ourselves and I immediately pushed her and she started
struggling with me to free herself. I was seriously drunk that time.
“As I was on her, a man who was passing flashed torchlight on me and I ran away. I left my slippers and cap.
“I don’t know whether I was having sex with her but she was on ground with me. I did not hit her with any object but is like I had sex with her for one round. We were both on the ground when a man flashed light on me and I ran away.
“I am not happy with what I did and I want to die. I want to die! I want to die!! I have never did this type of thing since God created me
on this earth. I am begging for forgiveness”, Isa recounted.
The incident led to tension in the community.
Ebonyi Commissioner of Police, Mr Awoshola Awotinde while briefing journalists in his office in Abakaliki said the suspect will be arraigned in the court after investigation.
The CP urged residents of the state to remain calm and go about their lawful activities as the command has already beefed up security in the area.
The CP said, “On December 28, 2019 at about 8:pm, one Laulo Isa a Fulani herdsman aged 20 years accosted and waylaid one 54 years old Mary Okereke on Ufuezeraku Ugwulangwu road in Ohaozara local government area.
“There was a struggle between the two of them but he overpowered the woman and had carnal knowledge of the woman. Unfortunately, the woman lost her life during the incident.
“Through the concerted efforts of my DPO in Ohaozara with the assistance of the youths in the community, they began a search for the
suspect who unfortunately left his cap and slippers in a bid to escape from that scene.
“So, with the assistance from two other Fulani guys, we were able to identify him through that cap and slippers and he was subsequently arrested and he is now with us and he is going to face the full weight of the law. The suspect is going to court this morning.
“The deceased is in the hospital for autopsy. I want to use the opportunity to assure the people of Ebonyi state that they don’t have
anything to fear because the police is ready to provide security for all abiding citizens.
