Police Under Fire After Man Murders Cousin Following Abuse Report

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested 51-year-old Emeka Emmanuel Nwangwu for the murder of his 19-year-old maternal cousin, Loveth Uloma Nwangwu, raising serious questions about police handling of reported abuse cases.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the arrest on Tuesday, stating that operatives of the Nsukka Urban Division, supported by a Neighbourhood Watch group, apprehended Nwangwu on December 1, 2025.

“The Enugu State Police Command, through operatives of Nsukka Urban Division and with support from Neighbourhood Watch, arrested Emeka Emmanuel Nwangwu (male, 51) for the gruesome murder of his maternal cousin, Loveth Uloma Nwangwu, aged 19,” SP Ndukwe said.

Loveth had previously reported multiple abuses by the suspect, including defilement, sexual abuse, abduction, and threats to her life, to the Umabor Division on November 28, 2025. She alleged that she had been living with Nwangwu since 2019, after the death of his wife, during which she experienced severe abuse and isolation from her family and friends.

According to police reports, Loveth attempted to escape to her family home in Enugu-Ezike, Igbo-Eze North LGA. Nwangwu allegedly 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 escaped using a spare key and reported the incident to police, who issued a medical report form for examination.

Despite Nwangwu confessing to the abuse when he was summoned to the station and promising to return her property, police allowed the matter to be resolved privately. The victim was returned to the suspect, reportedly due to family intervention and “spiritual cleansing.”

Tragically, while receiving treatment at a pharmacy in Nsukka, Nwangwu attacked Loveth, repeatedly striking her head on the floor and inflicting fatal injuries. She was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her remains have been deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

The Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, condemned the crime, expressed condolences to the family, and assured the public that justice would be served. He directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the suspect is charged to court promptly.

The case has sparked public outrage, with many Nigerians criticizing the police for their earlier handling of Loveth’s abuse reports.

Peter Obi, a Facebook user, wrote:
“Shows how incompetent our law enforcement agents are! The police directly failed this young lady, leaving her exposed to her abuser, which led to her death. May God judge all the officers involved.”

Another user, Odinaka Emmanuel Eze, added:
“Someone who committed a crime punishable by life imprisonment was reported to the police, yet they let him go. The police gave the criminal a second chance to kill the girl, likely due to his financial means and connections, while the victim had no protection. Enugu police failed this young girl.”

Daniel Noble also faulted the Umabor Division, stating:
“The police should have charged him to court immediately. Defilement carries a life sentence. If he had not been released initially, this tragedy would have been prevented.”

The suspect is currently in police custody as investigations continue, and authorities have pledged to ensure that justice is served for the deceased.