Police in Imo State have arrested two individuals in connection with the death of a 21-year-old nursing student, even as unease and sorrow deepen in the Umulogho community, Obowo Local Government Area, over the incident.
Wendy Achumba, a post-basic midwifery student at Our Lady of Mercy Nursing School, Obowo, was reportedly discovered lifeless in her off-campus residence at Umuadara Umulogho on Thursday, in what has been described as a suspected case of rape and murder, reports Daily Independent.
Confirming the development yesterday, the spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, DSP Henry Okoye, said operatives of the Obowo Divisional Police Headquarters arrested the suspects after intelligence-driven investigations carried out in collaboration with members of the community.
According to the police, the suspects, identified as 32-year-old Onyema Okonkwo and 25-year-old Emmanuel Onyekachi are both natives of Umuadara Umulogho.
Okoye disclosed that during interrogation, one of the suspects allegedly confessed to sexually assaulting the student before killing her in an attempt to conceal the crime.
The police spokesperson added that the suspect also implicated the second accused person as an accomplice, claiming both men decided to eliminate the victim after she recognised them.
He stated that the two suspects had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Audu Bosso, assured residents that the matter would be handled professionally and thoroughly, stressing that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
Meanwhile, leaders and residents of the Umulogho community publicly condemned the incident during a gathering held at the village square yesterday.
The traditional ruler of the community, Eze Patrick Uwalaka, dissociated the town from the killing and declared that the community would not shield anyone connected to the crime.
The monarch described the incident as wicked and unacceptable, insisting that Umulogho had remained a peaceful community over the years. He also called on anyone with useful information regarding the incident to cooperate with investigators and speak out.
According to him, the community would continue to support efforts aimed at ensuring justice for the slain student.
Also speaking, President of the Umulogho Youths, Chidiebere Iweajunwa, praised local youths for assisting security operatives in tracking down the suspects.
He described the arrests as a breakthrough in the investigation and urged authorities to ensure speedy prosecution to deliver justice for the victim and her family.
