Shock and anger have continued to spread across Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State after youths in Umuadara, Umulogho community apprehended a man accused of taking part in the rape and killing of a College of Nursing student, Wendy Achumba.
The suspect, identified as Onyema Okonkwo, was reportedly captured after a local investigation led by youth leader Chidiebere Iweajunwa and members of the community. Residents said the operation followed growing outrage over the brutal death of the young student.
A video confession allegedly made by the suspect has also been circulating online. In the footage, Okonkwo reportedly admitted that he and another man identified simply as Emmanuel attacked the student inside her apartment at about 7 p.m.
Community sources revealed that Wendy Achumba had been staying alone in the building at the time of the incident. The house, owned by a Nigerian based in the United States, was occupied by three nursing students before two of them reportedly left for their industrial nursing experience.
“She was the only one in the house. The owner of the house is based in America. There were three students occupying the house. But two went for their nursing experience, leaving only her in the compound,” a source in the area said.
During the alleged confession, Okonkwo claimed that they targeted the student after she rejected their sexual advances. He reportedly said they forced their way into her residence and sexually assaulted her repeatedly.
“We wanted her to give us sex, she refused. We went to her house around 7 p.m. I had sex with her two times, Emmanuel had once. After that, I hit her with a stick. I didn’t know Emmanuel returned with a knife to kill her,” he allegedly stated in the viral video.
The incident has triggered widespread condemnation across Imo State, with many residents demanding justice for the slain nursing student. There are also renewed concerns about the safety of students living off-campus, especially in isolated residential areas.
Community members confirmed that the suspect has been handed over to the police for further investigation, while efforts are reportedly ongoing to track down the second suspect mentioned in the confession.
