Suspected Port Harcourt serial killer blames ‘evil spirit’ for his actions

A suspected serial killer, Gracious David-West, 26, who has been linked to the murder of young ladies in hotels in parts of Rivers State has confessed to committing the crime.

David-West who was arrested by the police on his way to Uyo from Rivers State, admitted to killing at least seven women in hotels in Lagos State, Owerri in Imo State and Port Harcourt in Rivers State.

He told newsmen during his parade at the Police Command, that he single-handedly killed the victims, adding that he was not sponsored by anyone.

“So far, I’ve killed five girls in Port Harcourt; one in Owerri (Imo) and another in Lagos. I started the killing in Lagos,” he said.

“I use to carry dagger like this Hausa people and put it in their private part. After sleeping with them, I will now put the knife in their private and use it to threaten them that if they shout I will use the knife to cut them.

“After that one, I will hold her on her neck and take the pillow case. I will tear the pillow case and use it to tie the girl so that she will not shout or drag with me.

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David-West said before strangulating his victims, they usually pleaded for their lives by offering him money as well as details of their bank accounts.

He said after obtaining the victims’ ATM card and PIN and other belongings, he still killed them.

“So, I collect their ATM PIN, and after dawn, I go to ATM to withdraw money from the account. I usually use the money to get other girls.

“I don’t know what is making me to kill people. Immediately the urge comes, I kill, and after killing, I regret and feel sober. But later, I will still go and kill again,” he said.

“I don’t know what pushes me to kill women. I think evil spirit is disturbing me,” he added.

Parading the suspect, State Commissioner of police, Muhammad Danduara said the arrest follows directives by the police for all hotel owners to install CCTV Cameras in the facilities.

He added that men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, who were on stop and search operations along Ogoni axis of the East West road, detected the suspect who was spotted on CCTV camera during one of his outings in a hotel in Rivers state.

CP Danduara also said the force would clamp down on hotels that aid and abet crime in the state.

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