Search for killer of Silverbird staff begins as Suspect denies involvement

Detectives attached to Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Lagos have begin investigation into last weekend’s murder of Aisha Noble-Mustapha, 25-year-old  Silverbird staff, in Ogudu  GRA, Lagos.

The prime suspect, simply identified as Chima, has denied having a hand in the murder of Aisha.  The Edo State-born victim was attacked with a knife as she came back from work around 11pm.  He also said he was never her lover.

Chima said he rushed to the scene to save the late Aisha. This was, however, debunked by the owner of the building at 25, Salaudeen Akano Street, GRA, Ogudu, who said an undisclosed identity who claimed to have rushed out of his flat when he heard a bang at the gate met the suspect and the deceased inside the gutter in front of the building. The landlord, it was gathered, was also arrested.

Aisha’s home was locked when our reporter visited the scene. The store and eatery in front of the one storey building were also locked, indicating that the owners could have fled for fear of being arrested.

There was, however, blood stain on the floor where the late Aisha had struggled with her assailant before landing inside the gutter. A resident, who spoke after much persuasion, revealed that the late Aisha, who hailed from Auchi, Edo state, was the only daughter of her aged parents.

He said the suspect once lived in the same compound with the late Aisha.

According to the resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, “Aisha was an amiable person. We were all stunned when we heard she was murdered in cold blood.

“Chima (the suspect) was living with his elder brother in one of the flats in the building with the late Aisha.  But he had a misunderstanding with his brother, which led to his being evicted from the house. We were so shocked to discover he was connected with the murder because he left his brother’s house three weeks ago. How he was later found with the deceased right inside the gutter remains a mystery to be unravelled by the police.”

A man that rushed out to see what was happening, said “even when he attempted to bring the deceased out of the gutter,  Chima who was  by her side inside the gutter, held on to Aisha,” preventing the man from dragging her out.

Again, someone claimed to have seen Chima hitting the late Aisha. The man said he never knew he was stabbing her, until news later filtered in.

Her aged parents who reside in Auchi, were reportedly yet to believe the fate that had befallen their only daughter. Her aunt, Mrs Aisha Haruna, who the late Aisha lived with before moving into her apartment, was crying at the SCID  where the case was transferred to. Her husband, Mr Haruna, could not betray his emotion. He simply described the late Aisha as peace-loving, hoping that the police would find her assailant.

Meanwhile, the state command’s spokesman, Kenneth Nwosu, assured that the police will ensure that justice is served. “We condole with the family and friends of the deceased. Well-trained detectives have since resumed investigation into the case and would ensure that justice is served,”he said.

Written By Chioma Igbokwe