A catechist, identified as Oliver Vershima, from St. Martins Parish Mbape in Adikpo deanery, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, is reportedly on the run following the death of his lover. According to reports, Oliver was caught with the lifeless body of a woman believed to be his romantic partner. He had allegedly planned to dispose of the body but managed to escape capture.
A local resident of the community, known only as Terhemba, informed journalists on Tuesday that the incident occurred on the previous Saturday. Oliver, who was assigned to work at St. Agustine Zone, Jov Mbahura, was apprehended around 7 pm on Saturday with the deceased woman’s body.
Terhemba explained that upon questioning Oliver, it was revealed that he had impregnated the lady, and their attempt to terminate the pregnancy resulted in her unfortunate demise early that day. In an effort to conceal the incident, the catechist hid the body in his room until nightfall, intending to remove it from the village and possibly flee. However, he was caught in the act of transporting the body out of the village, though he managed to escape during the ensuing chaos.
The identity of the deceased woman is yet to be determined, but Terhemba mentioned that she hailed from a neighboring community. The Police Public Relations Officer for the State Command, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident and stated that the woman’s body had been recovered and taken to the hospital morgue.
Anene further informed that Oliver, who brought the corpse out of his room and fled, has not been located yet. The investigation into the cause of the woman’s death is ongoing.
