The Anambra State Police Command has arrested the landlord of an apartment where a 23-year-old nursing student was found dead, with police confirming that visible injuries on her body suggest possible foul play.
The deceased, identified as, Chiamaka Chilaka, a second-year National Diploma student at the College of Nursing Sciences in Alor, was discovered lifeless on Sunday after returning from a church service. She was a native of Isingu in the Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State.
Chiamaka had a nursing career ahead of her, a church she attended faithfully, a future she was quietly building inside a rented room in Uruezeani, Alor, in the Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
That future ended on a Sunday, and the circumstances of her death have since shaken the community.
A viral video circulating online showed a cleric overwhelmed with grief, wailing uncontrollably and repeatedly crying out, "My daughter, my daughter," as he lamented her death.
Accounts accompanying the video alleged that Chiamaka had been subjected to repeated unwanted advances by her landlord, which she reportedly rejected.
She was also alleged to have been seen having an altercation with him shortly before she was found dead.
Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the arrest of the landlord in a statement on Thursday, saying he is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation.
Ikenga said officers who visited the scene found visible injuries on the deceased, including a deep cut on her thigh, other marks of violence, and blood stains.
The case has since been transferred from the Nnobi Divisional Police Headquarters to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka, following a directive by the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, who ordered a full-scale investigation.
"The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has directed investigative officers to expedite action on the investigation into the reported suspected murder of a 23-year-old female student, whose lifeless body was discovered at her residence in Alor, Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State," the statement read.
"The CP gave the directive following the transfer of the case from the Nnobi Divisional Police Headquarters to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for a comprehensive and discreet investigation," it added.
Ikenga confirmed that Chiamaka's body has been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and a post-mortem examination.
"Meanwhile, the landlord of the premises has been taken into custody and is currently undergoing interrogation as part of ongoing investigations," he said.
The police assured the public that the investigation was thorough and that justice would be served.
"Anyone found culpable would be brought to justice," Ikenga said, while also urging members of the public with relevant information to come forward and assist the investigation.
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