The Enugu State Police Command has taken into custody a 51-year-old man, Emmanuel Nwangwu, for the alleged brutal killing of his 19-year-old maternal cousin, Loveth Uloma Nwangwu. The tragic incident, which has sent shockwaves through the community, occurred at a pharmacy shop in the Umuabor community, Nsukka Local Government Area.
A Promise of Care Turns to a Nightmare of Abuse
Investigations reveal a harrowing backstory of betrayal and violence. Emmanuel Nwangwu, a member of the local Neighbourhood Watch who lost his wife in 2019, had pleaded with the family to take custody of a then 13-year-old Loveth. He promised to assist her with her schooling while she helped in his house. However, this arrangement quickly devolved into a cycle of terror. Instead of educating her, Emmanuel allegedly subjected the teenager to frequent sexual abuse. He restricted her communication with her family, often locking her inside the house.
The suspect is accused of using threats to maintain control, warning Loveth that he would kill her parents and siblings if she ever reported the abuse or tried to escape. This atmosphere of fear kept her isolated for years.
The Brave Escape and a Tragic Final Confrontation
The path to this tragedy involved a courageous attempt by the victim to seek freedom. According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Daniel Ndukwe, Loveth managed to escape last month and reported a case of defilement, sexual abuse, abduction, and threat to life against Emmanuel at the Umuabor Police Station on November 28, 2025.
Ndukwe detailed that after an initial attempt to flee to her family home in Enugu-Ezike, the suspect allegedly threatened her with a firearm, forcing her back to his residence in Ibeku-Opi, Nsukka LGA, where she was locked in a room. She later escaped using a spare key. Following her report, the police issued a medical report form for examination. The suspect and the family were invited to the station.
"He confessed, sought forgiveness, and promised to return her property," Ndukwe stated. "The family, citing personal ties, initially chose not to prosecute the case but opted for spiritual cleansing due to the incestuous and abominable act against the victim."
Tragically, this decision for a non-legal resolution preceded the final act. While Loveth was receiving treatment at a pharmacy in Nsukka, Emmanuel forced his way in, assaulted her, and struck her head repeatedly on the floor, causing fatal injuries. She was rushed to the hospital where her death was confirmed. Her remains have been deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
Police Assurance of Swift Justice
The suspect has been rearrested and is currently in police custody. The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has strongly condemned both the crime and the cruel manner in which it was committed.
CP Giwa has assured the public that justice will be decisively served in this matter. He has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to carry out a meticulous investigation and ensure the case is charged to court within record time. This directive underscores the police command's commitment to addressing gender-based violence and homicide with the utmost seriousness.
