Detectives have arrested two people after a 76-year-old Nigerian woman, Mrs. Nelly Akomah, was found dead at her south London home following a suspected burglary.
The pensioner was discovered at her house in Ladbrook Road, Croydon, with fatal injuries around 10.40am on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, after police were scrambled by neighbours
Residents in Ladbrook Road, Croydon claimed that the pensioner had her CCTV security systems cut before the attack as police investigate the motive.
A man aged 28 and a woman, 31, are in custody after police swooped and arrested them at Stansted Airport in the early hours of Friday morning, June 23, on suspicion of murder.
Mrs. Akomah was the leader of the Nigerian Methodist Mission UK and Ireland and a member of Tooting Methodist Church.
Detectives from the Specialist Crime Command are leading the investigation and would like to speak with anyone who saw anything suspicious in the vicinity of Ladbrook Road.
Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn said: “First and foremost my thoughts are with Nelly’s family and friends. Nelly was active in her church and her loss will be keenly felt by many people.
“The arrests mark substantial progress in what is a fast-moving investigation. I don’t underestimate the level of concern in the local community following this shocking incident. At this stage we are investigating the possibility that there was a burglary at Nelly’s address. I must stress the investigation in its very early stages and we are working to establish exactly what happened.”
The pensioner was described by her neighbours as “the loveliest lady, always smart and smiling.”
A neighbour, aged 62, told the Standard: “She was found at the bottom of stairs we are told. The belief is that it was an intruder maybe there to steal her stuff and she interrupted them.
“We are heartbroken she was our neighbour for 20 years. A lovely churchgoing woman. She was always very well dressed. She was not doddery, she was very strong and always out doing her own shopping, she certainly wouldn’t have just fallen down the stairs. Just a smart, smiley, lady.”
“Dame Susan Solanke, Lay president of Ms Akomah’s Nigeria Methodist Mission UK, said in a statement her death was a “big blow” to the mission.
Paying tribute, she added: “Sister Nelly, only last week we were all at a weekend retreat, full of life.“You were such a valuable member of the mission who will be sorely missed. My heart is broken with this cruel, mindless and senseless attack. I pray God brings the culprits to book as soon as possible.”
Ayodeji Okegbile, a fellow member of Nigeria Methodist Mission UK, paid tribute to the pensioner asking followers to keep the police investigation in their prayers.
“Nigeria Methodist Mission UK and Ireland are very sorry to announce the loss of our long-standing leader and beloved mother, Mrs Nelly Akomah who passed away yesterday after an overnight attack in her residence in London,” he said.
“She will always be dearly missed and our thoughts and prayers are with her loving children, grandchildren, family, Tooting Methodist Church, Nigerian Fellowship, and close friends.”
Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain, responsible for policing in Croydon, said: “This is an incredibly heart-breaking incident and my thoughts are with Nelly’s family and friends.
“For the wider community, I know you will be concerned, feeling uneasy and have a lot of questions about what happened.
“I want to reassure Nelly’s family and the community that the investigation team are working diligently to establish the facts. People in the local area will see an increased police presence over the coming days and I would encourage anyone to come forward and speak to them to share information or to raise any concerns they may have.” he added.
