Man Holds Police Accountable for His Girlfriend’s Death After Alleged HIV Strife in Enugu

A 30-year-old man, Okpara Chibuike Emmanuel, has told the Enugu State Police Command how his 27-year-old girlfriend, Chinyere Rosemary Ugwu, died following an argument reportedly sparked by a dispute over HIV.

Emmanuel stated this during an interview with the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, which was later shared on PPRO social media platforms on Friday.

Police identified Ugwu as a graduate of Medical Laboratory Science from the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, who had recently completed the National Youth Service Corps program.

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

He said the conversation escalated when Ugwu accused him of infecting him with HIV, which resulted in an argument that later turned into a physical altercation.

Recounting the confrontation, Emmanuel said, “He held the pestle and started hitting me but I had to pull him away. I hit him causing him to fall.”

The suspect said he then used the machete on Ugwu after he collapsed, causing injuries to his wrist, head and neck.

Asked specifically about what he did with the gun, he said, “Yeah, my wrist was cut.”

Also Read: Troops Save 3 Kidnapping Victims, Raid Suspected of Being a Nest of Terror

Emmanuel also admitted to slashing his head and neck before allegedly trying to hide the incident.

“I had to close the toilet and close the master bedroom and lock it,” he said.

He told police that he wrapped Ugwu’s body in a black nylon bag and moved it to the toilet, until neighbors reportedly became suspicious after smelling a bad smell.

“I was crying, heartbroken,” she said, claiming that she had tried to communicate with her neighbors but could not get help.

Emmanuel also admitted to destroying Ugwu’s Samsung phone, explaining that he was worried the device could be used to track him.

“I was afraid that people could track the phone,” he said.

He added that Ugwu’s iPhone had been switched off before the incident after he complained that the device was damaged.

The suspect said he first met Ugwu on Facebook in 2023 and their relationship continued after he returned to Enugu in 2026.

According to him, the relationship became serious because he was planning to marry her and had also spoken to his mother about the relationship before the incident.

When asked about his actions, Emmanuel said he was not fully aware of what he was doing at the time and suspected he may have been under the influence of a substance.

“It was actually not me who did it clearly and deliberately. I myself was not fully aware,” he said.

The suspect begged for forgiveness and mercy, saying he had prayed over the incident.

“I have prayed to God for forgiveness and, for example, the fact that this was not actually an intentional act from my point of view, and I have asked the government to temper justice with mercy,” he said.

The Enugu State Police Command said Ugwu’s parents and siblings have been identified and interviewed by the Commissioner of Police, along with the suspect.

The commissioner then ordered that the investigation be completed and the suspect be tried in court.

The police also appealed to the public, especially young women, to take precautionary measures by informing trusted people of their whereabouts when travelling.

The case first came to public attention on September 23, when police announced Emmanuel’s arrest.

According to the warrant, neighbors discovered Ugwu’s decomposed remains after a strong odor emanated from the apartment. Her body was allegedly found wrapped in nylon and kept inside a toilet.

Police said the incident occurred on September 19 and Emmanuel was arrested after he was rescued from an angry mob.