The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said it has begun a manhunt for one Timothy Gilbert, who allegedly bathed his girlfriend, Angela Ogah, 40, with acid in Edo State.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, confirmed the incident and said the suspect committed the crime at Ihovbe quarters, in Ikpoba Hill, Benin, and fled.

He said, “The command has commenced a manhunt for the arrest of the suspect, and I am sure he will be brought to justice.”

He said there had been issues between the estranged lovers over claims of infidelity.

He advised people that it is better to part ways than to stay in an abusive relationship, noting that love is not by force.

The victim’s lawyer, John Izegaegbe, on Monday said Ogah had been admitted to a private hospital where she is currently battling for her life.

He said a petition has been forwarded to the State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, for urgent action.

The victim could barely talk when journalists visited her.

Izegaegbe appealed to relevant authorities to urgently arrest the fleeing suspect.

He said, “We want the suspect to be arrested. The victim is in severe pain. She could barely talk when journalists visited her.
“Gilbert is currently on the run after bathing Ogah, with substance suspected to be acid. We are currently on the authorities to effect his arrest without delay.”

In other news, the Rivers State Police Command has denied allegations of a Fulani herdsmen attack in the state, describing the claims as “entirely false, misleading, and designed to incite panic among the public.”

According to the police, there have been no incidents or reports of Fulani herdsmen attacks in any part of Rivers State.

The command, on Wednesday, attributed a viral video circulating on social media, which claims herdsmen attacked a community and were repelled by Ijaw youths, to mischief-makers trying to undermine the state’s peace and stability.

The statement reads: “The attention of the Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to a viral video circulating on social media, falsely claiming Fulani herdsmen attacked in Rivers State and were repelled by Ijaw youths.
“The police command wishes to state unequivocally that these claims and reports are entirely false, misleading, and designed to incite panic among the public.
“The command emphasises that there have been no incidents or reports of Fulani herdsmen attacks in any part of Rivers State. This fabricated narrative is a deliberate attempt by mischief makers to undermine the prevailing peace and stability in the state.”

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, however, urged the public to disregard the misinformation and to exercise restraint when sharing unverified content, as such content could spark unnecessary tension or damage the state’s reputation.

She noted that the police are working with other security agencies to maintain peace and order, with robust security measures in place, including patrol teams, surveillance units, and tactical squads.