The tragic killing of a final-year nursing student in Imo State has continued to generate concern among students, community leaders, and security agencies, with a traditional ruler in Abia State urging residents and youths to resist any attempt to seek revenge while investigations continue.
Miss Wendy Achumba, a final-year student of the College of Nursing, Umulogho Obowo, was reportedly murdered in her lodge at Umudara Village in Umulogho Community, Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State on May 21, in an incident that has sent shockwaves across the institution and surrounding communities.
Amid growing anger over the student’s death, the Traditional Ruler of Anunu Ukwu Ancient Kingdom in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, Eze Paulson Nwankwo, has appealed for restraint, warning that retaliatory actions could further complicate efforts to secure justice for the deceased.
Speaking during a radio programme monitored by journalists, the monarch described the killing as painful and unfortunate, noting that law enforcement authorities had already made progress in the investigation with the arrest of two suspects linked to the crime.
According to him, the focus should remain on supporting security agencies to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the murder and ensure that every individual connected to the crime is brought to justice through lawful means.
Eze Nwankwo also called on the traditional ruler and residents of the community where the incident occurred to cooperate fully with investigators by providing useful information that could lead to the arrest of any remaining suspects.
He expressed sympathy to the family of the deceased student, describing her death as a devastating loss to her loved ones, colleagues, and the nursing profession she was preparing to join.
The monarch further prayed for divine comfort for the bereaved family and encouraged members of the public to allow the investigative process to run its course without interference or acts capable of creating fresh tensions.
Providing an update on the case, the spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, disclosed that officers responded immediately after receiving reports of the incident and commenced investigations at the scene.
Okoye revealed that the caretaker of the lodge and the victim’s boyfriend were initially taken into custody as part of routine investigative procedures. However, subsequent findings reportedly indicated that neither individual was involved in the killing.
The police spokesperson explained that investigators later directed members of the community to assist in identifying individuals who may have sustained injuries during the attack, a move that eventually led to the arrest of a suspect.
According to him, the suspect subsequently identified another individual believed to have played a role in the crime, leading to a second arrest as investigations expanded.
He added that forensic specialists attached to the command recovered a blood-stained knife and other materials from the crime scene, which are currently undergoing examination to establish their relevance to the case.
The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Audu Garba Bosso, has reportedly ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the student’s death, assuring that no stone will be left unturned in the search for justice.
As investigations continue, students and residents remain hopeful that the perpetrators will be fully identified and prosecuted, while renewed calls have emerged for stronger security measures around student hostels and off-campus accommodation to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
