THE Enugu State Police Command has arrested 30-year-old man, Okpara Chibuike Emmanuel, over the suspected killing of his girlfriend, identified simply as Chinyere, and allegedly concealing her body in his apartment’s toilet for days.
Emmanuel, a resident of Olympic Layout, One-Day, Enugu, was arrested on Monday, September 21, after Police received information about the alleged incident.
An online video showed residents of the area confronting him after reportedly discovering the naked body of a woman on the floor of his bathroom.
Police operatives from Awkunanaw Division later intervened and rescued him from an angry mob before arresting about 6:30pm.
The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday, September 19, following an argument between them. Emmanuel was said to have struck Chinyere on the head with a pestle, killing her instantly, before wrapping her body in nylon and hiding it inside his toilet.
Her decomposing body was reportedly discovered when the odour attracted neighbours, who allegedly forced their way into the apartment and apprehended Emmanuel before the Police arrived.
The remains were evacuated to a mortuary for preservation and autopsy, while efforts continue to locate the victim’s relatives.
The Police said Emmanuel confessed to the crime during preliminary interrogation, claiming the argument was over allegations that either of them had infected the other with HIV.
In another video, Emmanuel was seen pleading, saying Chinyere had threatened to infect him with HIV. He claimed that she had repeatedly hit him with a stick while he was sleeping and he woke up and saw that she wanted to kill him.
When asked why he killed her, he claimed that HIV killed her, not him, at which point his interrogators became angry and told him HIV does not kill someone suddenly.
The circumstances surrounding Chinyere’s death remain unclear, but the Police.
The state Commissioner of Police (CP), Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has directed the State CID to conduct a discreet and thorough investigation.
The Police said Emmanuel will be arraigned after investigations.
