A retired nurse identified as Mrs Esther Amali and her housemaid, Mercy Mwuese, were stabbed to death by a young man who invaded their residence located in the Federal Low Cost area of Makurdi, Benue State capital.
According to The PUNCH, the incident occurred around 4:30pm on Sunday.
According to an eyewitness account, the assailant gained entry into the compound and targeted the housemaid, who was in her 20s, while the retired nurse was temporarily away.
The motive behind the attack has two conflicting versions.
One version suggests that the housemaid was allegedly impregnated by a member of a rival cult group, which had previously been involved in the killing of one of their own.
The other version claims that the deceased housemaid and the suspected murderer had a dispute over his friend, whom she accused of being responsible for her pregnancy and the father of her unborn child.
Reports indicate that the suspected murderer had repeatedly warned the housemaid to cease associating his friend with her pregnancy.
Seizing an opportunity when the retired nurse was absent, the attacker managed to scale a fence and gain access to the house.
It was during this time that the retired nurse returned home, only to be met with the horrifying sounds of her housemaid being brutally attacked.
The assailant continued to stab the helpless victim, ultimately claiming the lives of both the retired nurse and her housemaid.
The eyewitness said, “As soon as the retired nurse entered and heard the cry of the housemaid, she rushed in only to see a young man stabbing Mercy (housemaid).
“Mama started begging and calling the name of suspected murderer to stop but he could not listen to Mama’s plea as he went on to stab Mercy until she was unconscious and then faced Mama and also stabbed her multiple times.
“Before help could reach Mama (retired nurse)the suspected murderer had escaped.
“But neighbours immediately arranged for a vehicle and conveyed Mama and the housemaid to the hospital. While on the way to the hospital, Mama though, gasping for breath, was able to narrate how the incident happened in a little way.
“Unfortunately, she could not make it as she gave up the ghost before getting to the hospital.”
The police are yet to issue a statement on the matter.
