A leaked petition has revealed that community leaders in Opi, Nsukka, repeatedly warned Enugu State authorities months ago about Emmanuel Emeka Nwangwu — the 51-year-old man recently arrested for murdering 19-year-old Loveth Uloma Nwangwu, who had accused him of long-term sexual abuse.

Instead of acting on the community’s alarm, officials allegedly empowered Nwangwu by confirming him as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Ibeku-Opi.

Community Alert Ignored

A source familiar with the petition told SaharaReporters:

“This document shows that the criminal who murdered a 19-year-old girl in Nsukka was known to the state and local government. His community wrote a letter to the Secretary to the State Government but they refused to act and gave him more power instead.”

The petition — dated May 21, 2025 — was issued by the Federated Ibeku-Opi Town Union (FITU) and addressed to the Secretary to the State Government. It detailed several allegations of criminality against Nwangwu and urged the government to halt Nsukka Local Government’s move to impose him as CSO.

The letter, signed by FITU President-General Barr. Oliver Ezeah and Secretary-General John Chinwendu Ezugwu, carried the emphatic heading:

“A Humble Request to Redirect Engr. Jude Chinedu Asogwa… to terminate his appointment of Emmanuel Emeka Nwangwu, a trans-border kidnapper, as the CSO of Ibeku-Opi.”

Community Rejected Him, LGA Approved Him

The petition explained that community leaders had warned Nsukka LGA Chairman Engr. Jude Chinedu Asogwa during a meeting in November 2024 about pressure to install Nwangwu despite his alleged criminal background.

“I told him that it will not happen under my watch,” the PG wrote. “The Chairman said it will never happen.”

Despite this, and despite objections from other Nsukka LGA officials — including the PDP LGA Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Council Secretary, and a former LGA Chairman — the appointment was allegedly approved on April 28, 2025.

Serious Allegations Listed in Petition

FITU’s petition accused Nwangwu of:

Changing his name to hide his criminal history.

Recording a sexual encounter with a married woman, Mrs. Philomina Omeje, and attempting to extort ₦20 million from her.

Circulating the video when she could not pay.

Being dismissed from his role as Special Personal Assistant on Transport to the Nsukka LGA Chairman after the scandal.

The community begged the government to appoint “any other person without criminal records” as CSO. No intervention was made, according to petitioners.

Teenager Murdered After Reporting Sexual Abuse

Months later, Nwangwu was arrested for killing Loveth, who had lived with him since she was 13, after reporting him to the police for sexual abuse.

On December 2, the Enugu State Police Command confirmed his arrest. Spokesperson SP Daniel Ndukwe described the killing as a “gruesome and heartbreaking tragedy.”

According to police findings:

Loveth reported on November 28 that Nwangwu had repeatedly abused her since 2019.

She said he abducted her when she fled, threatened her with a firearm, and forcibly returned her to his residence.

She escaped a second time and filed a formal complaint.

During initial mediation, Nwangwu allegedly admitted to some wrongdoing and asked for forgiveness.

Her family, citing cultural sensitivities, initially chose spiritual cleansing over criminal prosecution.

While Loveth was receiving medical treatment at a pharmacy on December 1, Nwangwu allegedly stormed the facility and smashed her head on the floor repeatedly. She later died in the hospital.

Nwangwu was arrested at the scene by police and Neighbourhood Watch operatives.

Police Vow Swift Justice

Enugu Commissioner of Police Mamman Bitrus Giwa condemned the killing as “cruel, inhuman, and utterly unacceptable,” assuring the public that the case would be charged to court “within record time.”

He directed the State CID to conduct a meticulous investigation.

Government Yet to Respond

As of press time, the Enugu State Government — including the Secretary to the State Government and Nsukka LGA authorities — had issued no public response to the leaked petition or its allegations.

The case has sparked outrage across Nsukka and neighbouring communities, with many blaming the tragedy on official negligence and failure to act on repeated community warnings.