Adamawa police arrest woman, launch inquest into partner’s death, burial
By Mohammed Ismail
The Adamawa State Police Command has launched an inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death and controversial burial of a Yola-based man, Daniel Dyedzimai Marye, leading to the arrest of a woman, Elizabeth Andrew, over allegations bordering on the incident and the handling of his property.
The police said Andrew was arrested on November 3 and was being interrogated at the Criminal Investigation Department of the command.
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The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Sulaiman Nguroje, disclosed this while confirming that the investigation followed complaints by members of the deceased’s family, who questioned the circumstances of his death and why he was buried without their knowledge.
Marye reportedly died on October 10, 2026, and was buried the following day at his residence.
Nguroje said the Commissioner of Police had ordered a discreet investigation into the matter, which is being handled by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the CID.
He said the investigation would establish the circumstances surrounding the death, the decision to bury the deceased without involving his relatives and allegations that some of his properties were being converted to the ownership of the woman.
The police spokesman said investigators were also examining claims that the deceased’s vehicle, ATM card, telephone and other personal belongings were taken into the suspect’s possession.
He added that the police would establish whether other persons were involved and ensure that anyone found culpable was brought to justice.
Nguroje, however, cautioned against drawing conclusions before the investigation was completed, saying the command would determine the appropriate charges based on the available evidence after which the woman would be charged to court.
Meanwhile, the deceased’s wife, Laraba Daniel, has insisted that she remained the deceased wife despite the incursion of Andrew into their marriage claiming that she is the only wife of the deceased until his death.
Laraba said they got married in 2003 and had been together for 23 years, adding that she left Yola temporarily to care for her sick father in Kaduna.
She alleged that her marital relationship with the deceased became strained after Andrew allegedly came into the picture.
According to her, efforts were made to resolve the disagreement at a meeting involving Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza, who she said intervened in the matter.
The widow maintained that she was never divorced by her husband and disputed any claim that Andrew was married to him.
Also speaking with newsmen, the deceased’s younger brother, Sunday Marye Daniel, also questioned the circumstances surrounding his brother’s burial, alleging that the family was deliberately excluded.
Sunday said he received a telephone call informing him of his brother’s death and was initially told that the body would be taken to a mortuary.
He, however, alleged that when he arrived the following morning, he discovered that his brother had already been buried.
He said the family was particularly concerned because, according to information available to them, the deceased had been seen in good condition earlier on the day he died.
The brother also alleged that the family was asked to vacate the deceased’s residence following the issuance of a court order a few days after the burial.
He further claimed that the deceased’s phone, ATM card, vehicle and other assets had been taken over by his partner raising suspicion about his death and subsequent burial without the involvement of any family member.
Sunday listed some of the deceased’s properties as houses in Bachure and Sangere, a property in Jankasa and a Mercedes-Benz C180 car with registration number ABJ 189KP.
He said he was unaware that his brother had transferred the properties to Andrew, adding that the family wanted the police to establish how the assets came under her control.
