The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Emeka Emmanuel Nwangwu, a 51-year-old member of the Neighbourhood Security Watch Group, for the gruesome murder of his 19-year-old maternal cousin, Loveth Uloma Nwangwu.
The arrest was carried out on 1st December 2025 by operatives of the Nsukka Urban Division with support from the Neighbourhood Watch Group.
The development was disclosed in a statement made available to DAILY GAZETTE on Tuesday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe.
According to the statement, the suspect committed the heinous act at a pharmacy in Nsukka, where he was immediately apprehended.
Further details reveal that the deceased had earlier filed a complaint against the suspect on 28th November 2025 at the Umabor Police Division.
In her report, she accused him of defilement, sexual abuse, abduction, and threats to her life.
She explained that she had lived with him since 2019, at the age of 13, following the death of his wife, during which he allegedly isolated her and subjected her to continuous sexual exploitation.
Her first escape attempt led her to her family home in Enugu-Ezike, Igbo-Eze North LGA.
However, the suspect allegedly tracked her down, threatened her with a firearm, and forced her back to his residence in Ibeku-Opi, Nsukka LGA, where she was locked in a room.
She later managed to flee using a spare key and subsequently reported the incident to the police, who issued a medical report for further investigation.
Both the suspect and family members were invited to the station, where he reportedly confessed to the allegations, pleaded for forgiveness, and promised to return her belongings.
The family, citing close ties and the cultural gravity of the incestuous act, initially chose not to pursue criminal charges, opting instead for spiritual cleansing.
However, events took a tragic turn when the suspect stormed into a pharmacy where the victim was receiving treatment, assaulted her, and repeatedly smashed her head on the floor.
The young woman was rushed to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
Her body has since been deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
The suspect was immediately rearrested and remains in police custody.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa condemned the brutal killing and extended his condolences to the victim’s family.
He assured the public that justice would be served and directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (State CID) to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the case is promptly charged to court.
