A 30-year-old man, Okpara Chibuike Emmanuel, has narrated to the Enugu State Police Command how he allegedly killed his 27-year-old girlfriend, Chinyere Rosemary Ugwu, following an argument over HIV.

Emmanuel gave the account during an interview with the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, whose video of the interview was shared on Friday. Police identified Ugwu as a Medical Laboratory Science graduate of the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, who had recently completed her National Youth Service Corps programme. 

According to the suspect, the incident occurred around midnight on September 19, 2026, after he told Ugwu that he could cure people living with hepatitis C, HIV and syphilis.

He alleged that Ugwu accused him of infecting her with HIV, leading to an argument and physical confrontation. Emmanuel claimed she picked up a pestle and struck him, after which he took it from her and hit her, causing her to collapse.

The suspect further alleged that he subsequently used a machete to inflict injuries on Ugwu’s wrist, head and neck. He also admitted cutting off her wrist during the attack. 

Emmanuel said he later locked the toilet and master bedroom before wrapping the deceased’s body in a black nylon bag and moving it into the toilet.

According to him, neighbours eventually noticed an offensive odour coming from the apartment and broke into the residence, where the body was discovered.

The suspect also admitted damaging Ugwu’s Samsung phone, saying he feared that the device could be used to trace him. He said her iPhone had already been switched off after she complained that it was faulty. 

Emmanuel said he met Ugwu on Facebook in 2023 and resumed their relationship after she returned to Enugu in 2026. He claimed he had planned to marry her and had spoken with her mother about the relationship.

Asked about the killing, he said he was not fully aware of himself at the time and suggested that he might have been under the influence of a substance.

The police had earlier announced Emmanuel’s arrest after neighbours discovered the decomposing body at the apartment. The command said the suspect was rescued from an angry mob following the discovery.