Imo Police Nab Two Men Linked to Killing of 21-Year-Old Nursing Student

The Imo State Police Command has arrested two suspects allegedly linked to the rape and murder of a 21-year-old nursing student in Obowo Local Government Area of the state.

Police authorities identified the victim as Wenda Achumba, a Post-Basic Nursing student of Mercy College of Nursing Science, whose lifeless body was discovered in her private off-campus residence in Umuadara, Umulogho community.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Okoye Henry, the suspects were identified as Onyema Okonkwo, 32 and Emmanuel Onyekachi, 25 both indigenes of the community.

According to the police, the arrests followed what it described as sustained intelligence-led investigative operations carried out by operatives of the Obowo Divisional Police Headquarters in collaboration with community stakeholders. The command stated that preliminary investigations linked the suspects to the alleged rape and killing of the student.

“During investigation, Onyema Okonkwo confessed to the killing of the victim after forcibly having unlawful carnal knowledge of her on multiple occasions in an attempt to conceal his crime,” the statement said.

Police authorities added that the suspect also implicated Emmanuel Onyekachi in the matter. The two suspects have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for what the police described as a more comprehensive and discreet investigation. Authorities said prosecution would commence upon the conclusion of investigations.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Audu Garba Bosso, assured residents that the matter was being handled with seriousness and professionalism.

The police commissioner further stated that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law. “The matter is being handled with utmost diligence and professionalism and anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law,” the statement added.

The killing has triggered concern within the local community and among students, with residents calling for justice and stronger security measures around off-campus student accommodations.

Gender-based violence and attacks against women remain a growing concern across several parts of Nigeria, with rights advocates repeatedly calling for faster investigations, stronger prosecutions and improved protection mechanisms for vulnerable groups, including students and young women.

The police said further updates would be communicated as investigations progress.