Delta: Highly placed traditional chief allegedly shoots wife to death following argument

*Chief Ikpuri and his late wife, Mrs. Blessing Ikpuri*

A traditional chief in Delta State, Michael Ikpuri has been arrested for allegedly shooting one of his wives dead following a disagreement.

Ikpuri is said to be the traditional head (Unuevwero) of Edjeba community, Agbarha-Warri Kingdom in Warri South Council Area of the state.

Reports say he fired the shot from an unlicensed gun, killing Mrs. Igho Blessing Ikpuri at their 3-bedroom apartment on no 53 Edjeba, Road Warri on Saturday.

The couple were said to have engaged in a heated argument on Friday, before things spiraled out of control around 2am midnight.

Mrs. Ikpuri, 35, was reportedly fleeing the home when Chief Ikpuri fired a shot that struck her in the head, killing her instantly.

The chief denied pulling the trigger, as he blamed his wife’s death on armed robbers’ attack, Punch reports.

The deceased’s younger brother however debunked the claim, telling sympathisers who rushed to the scene upon hearing the gunshot sound that Chief Ikpuri was the culprit.

Chief Ikpuri owned up to the crime after his arrest, but maintained it was a mistake.

The Delta State Police Commissioner, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim said the chief would be transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department Asaba on Monday for further investigation.

Mrs. Ikpuri’s remains had been deposited at the morgue of the Warri Central Hospital for autopsy.