UNN Student Arrested for Murder of Young Woman in Nsukka Hotel Over ₦15,000 Sex Work

A 22-year-old undergraduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Emmanuel Gambo, has been arrested by the Enugu State Police Command in connection with the brutal murder of a young woman, Deborah Sam-Praise Ememem, in a hotel room in Nsukka.

According to a press release issued by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the incident occurred on the night of June 14, 2025, when the suspect and the deceased checked into a hotel in Obukpa, Nsukka.

Investigations revealed that a violent altercation broke out between the two after their second round of sexual activity, during which Deborah allegedly demanded an additional ₦15,000, having already received ₦5,000 earlier.

The suspect reportedly strangled the victim in a fit of rage. He then attempted to conceal the crime by wrapping her body in a towel and a curtain, hiding it under the bed. Two days later, on June 16, hotel staff were alerted by a foul odour and discovered the decomposing body.

Efforts to trace the suspect were initially hampered by the false identity and unreachable contact information he provided upon checking in. However, after a detailed investigation and intelligence-led operation, police detectives apprehended Gambo at his lodge in Nsukka on July 2.

Upon arrest, he confessed to the crime and led investigators to recover the victim’s belongings, including an iPhone, tablet, and earbuds. A bottle of red wine that the victim had brought was also found in his possession.

Gambo is a second-year student in the Department of Material and Metallurgical Engineering at UNN and hails from Kogi State.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, praised the detectives for their efforts and reassured the public of the Command’s dedication to justice and safety. He also called on parents and guardians to pay closer attention to the activities of their children and warned youths against engaging in social vices.

The suspect remains in custody and will be charged accordingly upon conclusion of investigations.