- Safiu Kehinde
A 51-year-old man, Emeka Emmanuel Nwangwu, has been arrested by the Enugu State Police Command for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old maternal cousin, Loveth Uloma Nwangwu, in Nsukka.
Emeka had reportedly killed Loveth barely days after she reported him to the police for alleged sexual abuse, defilement, and threats to her life.
This was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Command’s spokesperson SP Daniel Ndukwe.
According to Ndukwe, operatives of the Nsukka Urban Division had in joint operation with the members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, arrested the suspect on Monday at a pharmacy in Nsukka where he carried out the attack on the victim.
Loveth who was earlier declared missing was reported to have filed a complaint on November 28 at Umabor Division.
She disclosed that she had been living with the suspect since 2019, when she was 13, after his wife died.
During that period, she reportedly suffered sexual abuse, abduction, restriction of communication, and threats to her life.
A video, which surfaced after her death, showed the moment she filed the report at the police station where she recounted her ordeal and how the suspect had threatened to kill her and mother.
“He said that if I did not come back here and I go back to my house again that he will kill me and kill my mother and my brother.
“That he will go to where my brother is schooling in Abuja and kill him.
“That Police will not do anything. He even said that it is not a threat that it is a promise.” The late Loveth had said in the video.
She recounted how she managed to flee to her family home in Enugu-Ezike, but the suspect allegedly trailed her, threatened her with a firearm, and forcibly returned her to his residence in Ibeku-Opi, Nsukka LGA where she was locked up before escaping again to report the matter to the police.
Ndukwe held that the police issued her a medical form for examination and invited both families for questioning.
During the initial engagement, the suspect allegedly confessed to some of the allegations.
“He sought forgiveness and promised to return the victim’s property,
Loveth’s family, reportedly citing cultural and familial sensitivities, initially chose not to pursue criminal charges but opted for “spiritual cleansing due to the incestuous and abominable act.” The Police spokesperson said before narrating how the situation escalated when Loveth, who was receiving medical treatment at a pharmacy, was attacked by the suspect.
“The suspect forcefully gained access into the pharmacy, assaulted the victim, and repeatedly smashed her head on the floor,” Ndukwe stated.
She was rushed to a hospital where she was confirmed dead. Her body has been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
Police operatives immediately rearrested the suspect, who is now in custody.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, condemned the killing, calling it “cruel, inhuman, and utterly unacceptable.”
“This is a deeply disturbing crime, and I assure the family and the public that the Command will leave no stone unturned,” Giwa said. “Justice must be served, and it will be served.” He said.
Giwa directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (State CID) to conduct a “meticulous investigation” and ensure the case is charged to court “within record time.”