The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two suspects allegedly involved in the rape and murder of a 21-year-old student nurse of Mercy College of Nursing Science, Umulogho, Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State, Miss Wendy Achumba.

The deceased was reportedly found dead in her rented off-campus apartment last week after concerns were raised over her whereabouts. Her body was later deposited in a morgue.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, the command disclosed that operatives of the Obowo Divisional Headquarters, working in collaboration with community stakeholders, arrested the suspects after what he described as sustained and discreet investigations.

The suspects were identified as Onyema Okonkwo, 32, and Emmanuel Onyekachi, 25, both indigenes of Umuadara, Umulogho, in Obowo LGA.

According to the statement, one of the suspects, Onyema Okonkwo, allegedly confessed during interrogation that he raped the victim multiple times before killing her in an attempt to conceal the crime.

The statement read in part “Operatives of the Obowo Divisional Police Headquarters, in collaboration with community stakeholders, have arrested two suspects allegedly connected with the rape and murder of Wendy Achumba, aged 21, a Post-Basic Nursing student of Mercy College of Nursing Science, Umulogho, whose lifeless body was discovered in her private off-campus residence at Umuadara, Umulogho in Obowo LGA.

“The suspects, Onyema Okonkwo, aged 32, and Emmanuel Onyekachi, aged 25, both indigenes of Umuadara, Umulogho, were arrested following sustained intelligence-led investigative efforts by operatives of the division in synergy with community stakeholders.”

Okoye, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), further stated:

“During investigation, Onyema Okonkwo confessed to the killing of the victim after forcibly having unlawful carnal knowledge of her on multiple occasions in an attempt to conceal his crime, and further implicated Emmanuel Onyekachi as being involved in the matter.”

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

He added that the Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, has assured the public that the matter would be handled professionally and that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.

“To this end, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Audu Garba Bosso, assures the public that the matter is being handled with utmost diligence and professionalism, and that anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law,” the statement added.

The command said further updates would be communicated as the investigations progress.