The Enugu State Police Command has identified the woman allegedly killed by her boyfriend in Enugu as 27-year-old Chinyere Rosemary Ugwu, a graduate of Medical Laboratory Science from the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu.
The police identification marks a development in the investigation into the woman’s death, which was reported in September after neighbours allegedly discovered her remains inside the toilet of her boyfriend’s apartment in the Olympic Layout area of Enugu.
According to an update from the police, Ugwu had recently completed her National Youth Service Corps programme. Her parents and siblings have also been identified and interviewed as investigators continue to establish the circumstances surrounding her death.
The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Okpara Chibuike Emmanuel, was arrested on September 21 following reports that he had allegedly killed his girlfriend. Police said he was initially rescued from an angry mob before officers took him into custody.
Preliminary police investigations indicated that the incident occurred on September 19 following an argument between the pair. According to the police account, the suspect allegedly struck Ugwu on the head with a pestle, causing injuries that resulted in her death.
Police further alleged that the suspect wrapped her remains in nylon and concealed them inside the toilet of his apartment. Neighbours reportedly became suspicious after noticing an unpleasant odour coming from the residence and forced their way inside, where the remains were discovered.
During preliminary questioning, police said the suspect claimed that the argument involved allegations concerning who had infected the other with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The claim remains part of the reported account of the incident and should not be treated as an independently established explanation for the killing.
Following the discovery, the remains were taken to a mortuary for preservation and autopsy. The police also directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the case and establish the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has assured the deceased’s family that the investigation would be conducted thoroughly. The command has also indicated that the suspect should be arraigned in court after the investigation is concluded.
The case has renewed attention on violence against women and the risks that can arise in abusive or volatile relationships. However, investigators must establish the relevant facts through evidence and due legal process before a court determines criminal responsibility.
Police have advised members of the public, particularly women, to inform trusted relatives or friends about their whereabouts when visiting people and to exercise caution in situations that may expose them to danger.
For Ugwu’s family, the identification provides a clearer account of the person at the centre of the investigation as they await further developments. The next stages of the case will depend on the outcome of police inquiries and any subsequent court proceedings.
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