The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man, Okpara Chibuike Emmanuel, for allegedly killing his girlfriend and concealing her remains in the toilet of his apartment at Olympic Layout, One-Day, Enugu.
The suspect was arrested on Monday by operatives of the Awkunanaw Police Division after neighbours apprehended him and alerted the police.
The victim, identified only as Chinyere, is said to have been killed on September 19 following an argument between them.
According to the police, the suspect allegedly wrapped the victim’s remains in a nylon and locked them in the toilet.
The police said neighbours became suspicious after a foul odour emanating from the apartment became noticeable.
The development prompted the neighbours to force open the door of the apartment, where they allegedly discovered the decomposing remains and apprehended the suspect before the arrival of the police.
The suspect was rescued from the mob and taken into custody.
Police spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, a Superintendent of Police, said the victim’s remains had been evacuated to a mortuary.
He added that efforts were ongoing to establish the victim’s identity, locate her relatives and notify them of the incident.
Ndukwe said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspect confessed to the alleged crime.
According to him, the suspect claimed that the argument that preceded the incident was over allegations by both parties about who infected the other with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
The suspect told investigators that he struck the deceased on the head with a pestle during the argument, resulting in her death.
He allegedly wrapped her body and concealed it in the toilet of his apartment.
The Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to conduct an investigation into the incident.
The police boss directed that the suspect be arraigned after the conclusion of investigations.
Giwa also cautioned the public, particularly young women, to exercise caution when visiting or spending time with people and to inform trusted relatives or friends of their movements.
