Police say suspect confessed to strangling victim after disagreement over additional payment for sex
A 22-year-old female student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Deborah Sam-Praise Ememem, was reportedly murdered by a fellow student after a disagreement over financial compensation for sex, the Enugu State Police Command confirmed on Monday.
In a statement issued by Command spokesperson SP Daniel Ndukwe, police revealed that the suspect, Emmanuel Gambo, also 22 and a second-year student of Metallurgical and Material Engineering at UNN, was arrested following a detailed investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department.
According to Ndukwe, the incident occurred on the night of June 14, when Gambo and the victim checked into a hotel in Obukpa, Nsukka. An argument reportedly broke out after a second round of intercourse, when Ememem allegedly requested an additional N15,000 on top of an initial N5,000 payment. The dispute escalated, and Gambo allegedly strangled her.
Police say he then concealed the body under the hotel bed using a curtain and towel. The corpse was discovered two days later, on June 16, after hotel staff noticed a strong odour coming from the room.
“The suspect provided a false name and unreachable phone number on the hotel’s check-in form, which initially hampered identification,” Ndukwe said.
However, detectives eventually traced Gambo to his lodge in Nsukka and arrested him on July 2. During interrogation, he confessed to the crime and led police to recover several of the victim’s belongings, including her iPhone, tablet, earbuds, and a bottle of red wine she had brought to the hotel.
Ongoing Investigation
The suspect reportedly attempted to dispose of some items by throwing them out of the hotel window in a bag. All recovered evidence is now in police custody.
Commissioner of Police Mamman Bitrus Giwa has commended the officers for their swift and effective investigation. He also reassured the public of the Command’s commitment to ensuring justice is served.
Giwa urged parents and guardians to be vigilant and involved in their children’s lives, while also warning young people against risky behaviour and peer influence.
“We continue to work toward ensuring safety and justice across Enugu State,” he stated.
The case remains under active investigation as police prepare to charge the suspect to court.