A member of the Neighbourhood Security Watch Group, Emeka Nwangwu, has been arrested for allegedly killing his 19-year-old cousin, Loveth Nwangwu, in a pharmacy in Nsukka, Enugu State.

The state police spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement on Tuesday, said the diseased had before her death, reported the suspect to the police, accusing him of defilement, sexual abuse, abduction, and threat to life.

Mr Ndukwe said the Neighbourhood Watch Group and policeman from the Nsukka Urban Division, “on 1st December 2025, arrested one Emeka Emmanuel Nwangwu (male, aged 51) for the gruesome murder of his maternal cousin sister, Loveth Uloma Nwangwu, aged 19. The suspect, a member of the Neighbourhood Security Watch Group, committed the crime at a pharmacy in Nsukka, where he was arrested.

“The deceased had earlier reported a case of defilement, sexual abuse, abduction, and threat to life against the suspect on 28th November 2025 to Umabor Division. She alleged that she had been living with the suspect since 2019, at age 13, after the death of his wife, and that he had restricted her communication with family and friends and subjected her to sexual abuse.

“After attempting to escape to her family home in Enugu-Ezike, Igbo-Eze North LGA, the suspect allegedly threatened her with a firearm, forcing her back to his residence in Ibeku-Opi, Nsukka LGA, where she was locked up in a room.”

According to Mr Ndukwe, Miss Uwangwu later escaped using a spare key and reported the incident to the police, who issued her a medical report form for examination, adding that the suspect and family were invited to the station, where he confessed, sought forgiveness, and promised to return her property.

He stated that the family, citing personal ties, initially decided against prosecuting the case, rather opting for spiritual cleansing due to the incestuous and abominable act against the victim.

“Tragically, while receiving treatment at a pharmacy in Nsukka, the suspect forced his way in, assaulted her, and struck her head repeatedly on the floor, causing fatal injuries. The victim was taken to the hospital, where her death was confirmed and her remains deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy. The suspect was rearrested and is in police custody.”

Speaking on the issue, the state Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, while consoling the family and assuring the public that justice would be served, directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the case meticulously and ensure that it was charged to court within record time.