How Imo Nursing Student Was Raped, Murdered as Police Give Fresh Update on Boyfriend

• The Imo State Police Command has confirmed that the boyfriend of murdered nursing student Wendy Achumba remains in custody as investigators await forensic results and continue efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding her death.

The Imo State Police Command has confirmed that the boyfriend of murdered nursing student, Wendy Achumba, remains in police custody as investigations into the case continue.

The development follows the earlier arrest of two suspects, Onyema Okonkwo and Emmanuel Onyekachi, in connection with the death of the 21-year-old student of Our Lady of Mercy Nursing School, Umulogho, in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State.

Speaking on the matter, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, said the victim’s boyfriend would remain in custody pending the outcome of ongoing forensic and criminal investigations.

According to him, the police are still awaiting the results of laboratory examinations and other evidence recovered from the crime scene.

“Preliminary investigations are still ongoing. We have sent evidence recovered from the scene of the crime to the laboratory for analysis. We are still expecting the results of fingerprints and other forensic examinations,” Okoye said.

He explained that anyone found not to be connected to the crime would be released once investigations are concluded.

“Once we confirm that Wendy’s boyfriend is not involved, we will release him and every other person found to be innocent,” he added.

Sources familiar with the case alleged that the victim’s boyfriend was initially the person who reported the incident to the police but later became a person of interest during the early stages of the investigation.

Until her death, Achumba was reportedly undergoing post-basic midwifery training at Our Lady of Mercy Nursing School in Obowo.

Meanwhile, police authorities disclosed that one of the arrested suspects, Onyema Okonkwo, allegedly confessed to raping and killing the student.

According to police findings, the suspect also implicated Emmanuel Onyekachi as an accomplice, claiming both men assaulted the victim before killing her after she allegedly recognised them.

The suspects have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Earlier, police stated that intelligence-led investigations conducted in collaboration with community stakeholders led to the arrest of the suspects.

“During interrogation, Onyema Okonkwo allegedly confessed to killing the victim after repeatedly raping her in an attempt to conceal the crime. He also implicated Emmanuel Onyekachi in the incident,” the police had stated.

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However, a source familiar with the investigation claimed that upon arrival at the state police headquarters, Okonkwo allegedly altered parts of his earlier confession and told investigators that he acted alone, while reportedly seeking the release of Onyekachi.

The source suggested that the conflicting statements may have contributed to the continued detention of the victim’s boyfriend as investigators work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case.

Police say investigations remain ongoing and that all suspects and persons of interest will be treated based on the outcome of forensic and other investigative findings.