UNN Female Student Killed in Hotel Over Dispute on N15,000 Payment – Police

Tragedy struck in Nsukka as a female undergraduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Deborah Sam-Praise Ememem, was murdered in a hotel by a fellow student over an argument involving an additional N15,000 payment for sex.

According to the Enugu State Police Command, 22-year-old Deborah was killed by Emmanuel Gambo, also 22 and a second-year student of Material and Metallurgical Engineering at UNN. The incident occurred on the night of June 14, 2025, at a hotel in Obukpa, Nsukka.

Police investigations revealed that after Emmanuel paid Deborah N5,000 for an initial sexual encounter, she allegedly demanded an additional N15,000 for a second round. The disagreement escalated into violence, leading Emmanuel to strangle her to death.

In a disturbing attempt to cover up the crime, the suspect reportedly wrapped the victim’s body in a towel and a hotel curtain, hiding it under the bed. It wasn’t until hotel staff noticed a foul odor the following morning that the body was discovered.

SP Daniel Ndukwe, the spokesperson for the Enugu State Police Command, stated that the suspect provided a false name and unreachable contact information at check-in, initially complicating efforts to trace him. However, on July 2, 2025, detectives apprehended him at his residence in Nsukka after a sustained intelligence-led investigation.

Upon arrest, Emmanuel confessed to the crime. Police recovered Deborah’s iPhone, tablet, earbuds, and a bottle of wine she had brought to the hotel. Some of her belongings had been thrown out of the hotel room window in an attempt to destroy evidence.

Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the detectives involved and reassured the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to justice. “We urge parents and guardians to be vigilant and advise young people to avoid risky behaviors and negative peer influence,” he said.

The brutal killing of Deborah Sam-Praise Ememem has sparked concern among students and community members alike. As investigations continue, the Enugu State Police Command has promised to ensure justice is served.