The Enugu State police command has arrested 30-year-old Okpara Chibuike Emmanuel of Olympic layout, over the alleged murder of his girlfriend, identified only as Chinyere.

The disclosure was made in a statement on Tuesday by the command’s spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe.

Mr Ndukwe said the suspect was rescued from an angry mob and re-arrested by police operatives attached to Awkunanaw division on Monday at 6:30 p.m., following information that he allegedly murdered his girlfriend.

He stated that preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect allegedly killed the victim on Saturday and wrapped her remains in a nylon and locked them in his apartment’s toilet.

“The offensive odour of the decomposing body subsequently attracted neighbours, who forced the door open and apprehended him before the arrival of the police. 

“The putrefying remains were evacuated to a mortuary for preservation and autopsy, while efforts are ongoing to trace and notify her relatives,” Mr Ndukwe said.

He noted that the suspect confessed to the crime during interrogation, stating that the incident followed an argument between him and the deceased over allegations of who infected the other with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). 

He stated that during the argument, he struck the deceased on the head with a pestle, resulting in her death, and subsequently wrapped and dumped her remains inside the toilet.

The state commissioner of police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, ordered the state CID to conduct a discreet and thorough investigation to establish the circumstances of the incident and ensure the suspect was arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations. 

He also cautioned members of the public, particularly young women, to inform trusted relatives or friends of their movements and be wary of who they visit or spend time with.