The Delta State Police Command has arrested one Emmanuel Umukoro, for allegedly killing and burning his mother, Mrs Fatima Umukoro, a school proprietress, in the Warri area of the state.
The tragic incident, which occurred in the late hours of Saturday night, has left the woman’s neighbours in a state of shock.
Some of the neighbors who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the scene as gruesome and horrific.
According to an eyewitness, who simply identified himself as Umoh, the gate of the Umukoro residence was left open around 10 pm, which was unusual. This prompted neighbours and passersby to check on the situation.
“When neighbours checked on the residence of the Umukoro late that night, they were shocked to discover fire coming from inside the house with the door left open. Upon entering the house, they found the lifeless body of Mrs. Umukoro, burnt beyond recognition.
“We saw her son, Emmanuel Umukoro, earlier driving out of the compound around 8:30 pm at a high speed in his mother’s car.”
The neighbours said that the suspicious movement of the son led to his apprehension by the police along the Sapele-Warri Road as he (son) attempted to escape to an unknown destination.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State, Bright Edafe, on Sunday, confirmed the incident.
He said, “The son is in police custody now but cannot say whether he’s the one who killed her until an investigation is concluded.”