Nigeria, March 17 -- The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has arrested a man, Ndifreke Nelson, for the alleged murder of his girlfriend in her apartment in Uyo.

According to a statement issued on Monday by Timfon John, the police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom, Mr Nelson, 35, allegedly murdered his girlfriend, Emem Effanga, 39, in February and stole her phone.

Ms John, a deputy superintendent of police, said operatives who visited the crime scene observed that the victim's body had "visible marks of violence on her face and neck, suggesting she had been strangled and beaten to death."

The police said the suspect was traced to a church in Uyo after committing the crime and that he tried to escape when he sighted operatives.

The police stat...