The Imo State Police Command has arrested two suspects over the alleged rape and murder of a 21-year-old nursing student, Wendy Achumba, in Umuadara Umulogho, Obowo Local Government Area of the state.
Police spokesperson Henry Okoye said Sunday that operatives of the Obowo Divisional Police Headquarters, working with community stakeholders, arrested Onyema Okonkwo, 32, and Emmanuel Onyekachi, 25, following intelligence-led investigations into the killing.
Achumba, a student of Our Lady of Mercy Nursing School, Obowo, was undergoing post-basic training in midwifery before her death last Thursday. Her lifeless body was discovered in her off-campus apartment in Umuadara, Umulogho.
According to Okoye, Okonkwo confessed during interrogation to raping and killing the victim in an attempt to conceal the crime. He also allegedly implicated Onyekachi as an accomplice, claiming they killed the student after she recognized them.
“Operatives of the Obowo Divisional Police Headquarters, in collaboration with community stakeholders, have arrested two suspects allegedly connected with the rape and murder of Wendy Achumba,” Okoye said.
He added that the suspects had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and prosecution.
The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Audu Bosso, assured residents that the case would be handled with diligence and professionalism and that anyone found culpable would face prosecution.
Meanwhile, the traditional ruler of Umuadara Umulogho, Eze Patrick Uwalaka, and members of the community publicly condemned the killing and distanced the community from the crime.
Speaking at the village square on Sunday, the monarch described the incident as wicked and urged anyone with information about the crime to come forward.
“We, the people of Umulogho, are here to denounce this wicked act. We know nothing about it, and we exonerate ourselves and the land from any repercussions,” he said.
The president of Umulogho Youths, Chidiebere Iweajunwa, commended community youths for assisting in the arrest of the suspects and called for speedy prosecution and justice for the deceased student.
