Enugu police arrest man over girlfriend’s murder amid HIV dispute

Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have arrested a 30-year-old man, Okpara Emmanuel, over the alleged murder of his girlfriend, identified only as Chinyere, Punch reports.

According to a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, Emmanuel was arrested at his residence in Olympic Layout, Enugu, after preliminary investigations indicated he killed the victim on September 19, wrapped her remains in nylon and hid them in his apartment’s toilet.

The decomposing body was discovered after the offensive odour attracted neighbours, who forced the door open and apprehended him before police arrived.

During interrogation, Emmanuel confessed that the killing followed an argument over allegations of who infected the other with HIV, admitting he struck the victim on the head with a pestle.

Police Commissioner Mamman Giwa has ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department to probe the incident and ensure Emmanuel is arraigned once investigations conclude.

Ndukwe further disclosed that the suspect was rescued from an angry mob before being re-arrested, while Giwa warned young women to always inform trusted relatives of their movements — a caution now underscoring the tragedy’s deeper toll on public safety.