51-Year-Old Security Guard Arrested for Murder of Teenage Cousin in Enugu
A 51-year-old neighbourhood security operative, Emeka Emmanuel Nwangwu, has been arrested by the Enugu State Police Command for the alleged murder of his 19-year-old cousin, Loveth Uloma Nwangwu, in Nsukka.
The Command, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said operatives of the Nsukka Urban Police Division, assisted by the Neighbourhood Watch Group, apprehended the suspect on Monday, December 1, 2025, shortly after he allegedly attacked and fatally injured the teenager inside a pharmacy where she was receiving medical treatment.
According to the police, the deceased had, on November 28, reported a case of defilement, abduction, sexual abuse, and threat to life against the suspect at the Umabor Police Division.
She claimed she had lived with him since 2019, shortly after his wife died, and that he cut her off from family and friends while repeatedly subjecting her to sexual assault.
The teenager reportedly escaped to her family home in Enugu-Ezike, Igbo-Eze North LGA, but the suspect allegedly trailed her, threatened her with a firearm and forcibly returned her to his residence in Ibeku-Opi, Nsukka LGA, where he locked her in a room. She later escaped a second time and formally reported to the police, who issued her a medical report for examination.
When invited for questioning, the suspect allegedly confessed to the abuse and begged for forgiveness. Her family, citing close family ties and the “abominable nature” of the act, initially opted against prosecution and instead sought spiritual cleansing.
However, tragedy struck days later when the suspect stormed the pharmacy where Loveth was receiving treatment and allegedly assaulted her, repeatedly smashing her head on the floor.
She was rushed to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead. Her body has been deposited in the mortuary for autopsy.
Police operatives immediately rearrested the suspect, who is now in custody.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, described the incident as “cruel and devastating,” assuring the family and the public that justice would be served without delay.
He directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to conduct a thorough investigation and charge the suspect to court “within record time.”
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
