The Girei community in Adamawa State has been thrown into mourning following the death of a middle-aged woman, identified simply as Aisha, who was allegedly killed by a man at a brothel in the area. The incident occurred on Friday, August 14, 2026, at a hotel located about 150 metres from the Girei Divisional Police Station in Girei Local Government Area. Daily Trust had reported that the woman was allegedly attacked and had her throat slit by a man who was said to have checked into the hotel with her. A visit to the hotel by this reporter on Monday at about 11:30am found the premises deserted, with the main entrance locked. Only a shop owner attending to customers across the road was seen in the vicinity. Efforts to speak with friends and neighbours of the deceased were unsuccessful, as a passerby said many residents had left the area following the incident. Another resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the deceased was among the commercial sex workers who received guests at the hotel. He said Aisha was a divorcee with a daughter and had separated from her former husband over unresolved marital differences, although the man had reportedly been visiting her in an attempt to reconcile. According to the resident, the deceased was with a male guest in a room on the afternoon of the incident when her co-tenant heard unusual noises coming from the room. He said the co-tenant eventually summoned courage to knock on the door, which the suspect opened. The resident said the co-tenant noticed bloodstains and raised the alarm, adding that the woman was found with severe injuries. He said people who gathered at the scene apprehended the suspect and handed him over to the police. The Adamawa State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the incident and arrested the prime suspect and the owner of the premises. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, confirmed the incident, saying operatives from the Girei Divisional Police Headquarters responded to a report of an altercation at the hotel on Friday. Nguroje said the woman was found with a slit throat and severe injuries and was rushed to a medical facility, where she was confirmed dead by a doctor. He identified the suspect as Ali Haruna, 27, of Kaleri Ward, Maiduguri, Borno State. “Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly made statements claiming responsibility for the act. “The police are, however, treating this as part of the ongoing investigation and are working to establish the circumstances and motive behind the incident,” he said. Nguroje also said the owner of the premises was in police custody for investigation, adding that the command had commenced verification to determine whether the hotel was duly registered with the state Ministry of Commerce and Trade. He said a sharp dagger allegedly used in the commission of the offence was recovered from the suspect and would be treated as an exhibit. The Commissioner of Police, CP Kabir Umar Hassan, directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to take over the case and ensure a discreet, thorough and professional investigation. The command urged members of the public to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and refrain from jungle justice, assuring that anyone found culpable would face the law. Speaking to Daily Trust, Haruna said he was formerly an errand boy and shopkeeper in Maiduguri before moving to Adamawa in search of greener pastures. He said he was currently engaged in rice farming in Girei. The suspect also said he smoked Indian hemp and admitted to killing the woman after they had sexual intercourse. “I killed that lady for no cause, but by accident. In all honesty, we didn’t have any disagreement or argument while we were together in the room. “In fact, we even smoked weed (Indian hemp) before having affairs together, but I overpowered her and sliced her throat. Then she began to struggle for help, but blood was already gushing out heavily from her sliced throat,” he said. Haruna said the woman’s struggles attracted the attention of her friend and co-tenant, who came knocking on the door. He said he opened the door, after which the woman’s friend saw the blood and raised an alarm, attracting neighbours who apprehended him. Asked whether the incident was related to payment for the service, Haruna said he had paid the woman before the encounter. He also said the deceased’s mother visited him at the police headquarters and that he pleaded for forgiveness over the killing. The police said investigation into the circumstances and motive behind the killing was ongoing.
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