However, the prime suspect, a well-known native doctor identified as High Chief Levi Onyeka Obu, popularly known as “Ezeani” and “E-Dey-Play-E-Dey-Show,” escaped during the raid and is currently on the run.
Enugu State Police Command has said that its operatives, in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch personnel and vigilant members of Ishiagu community, have rescued a 13-year-old girl allegedly kidnapped by a native doctor engaging in ritual murder in the community.
The Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, who made this known in a statement following SaharaReporters’ inquiry on the matter, said the rescue of the teenage girl took place at about 3.15 am on Tuesday, in Umuojor village, Ishiagu community in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state.
Ndukwe said the operation also resulted in the arrest of three suspects believed to be connected to the gruesome crime.
The police spokesperson identified the suspects as 33-year-old Uche Kingsley Agumba, 36-year-old Ilo Nweze Onyedikachi, and 38-year-old Ejike Odinwankpa.
However, the prime suspect, a well-known native doctor identified as High Chief Levi Onyeka Obu, popularly known as “Ezeani” and “E-Dey-Play-E-Dey-Show,” escaped during the raid and is currently on the run.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that a chilling discovery rocked the community as residents uncovered soakaway pits filled with dead bodies of people, including pregnant women and children, in the compound of the native doctor who allegedly kidnapped and buried them alive for ritual.
In a viral video obtained by SaharaReporters, one of the shocked community members recounted the horror.
The police spokesperson confirmed that during the rescue operation, police operatives made a chilling discovery at the suspect’s shrine.
Nzekwe said, “The operation also led to the arrest of three male suspects connected to the crime, namely: Uche Kingsley Agumba, aged 33; Ilo Nweze Onyedikachi, aged 36; and Ejike Odinwankpa, aged 38.
“The prime suspect, identified as High Chief Levi Onyeka Obu nicknamed “Ezeani” and “E-Dey-Play-E-Dey-Show,” a native doctor and prominent member of the community, fled the scene and is currently at large.
“During the rescue, two decomposing bodies, one male and one female, were discovered buried in a concrete-sealed pit within an uncompleted building, owned and used as a shrine, and heinous criminal activities by the fleeing prime suspect.”
He said that preliminary investigations indicated that the deceased individuals were recently murdered and buried as part of a ritual.
Ndukwe added, “Investigations reveal that the deceased victims were recently murdered and buried in the pit by the suspects for ritual purposes, and the rescued child was moments away from suffering the same fate before the timely intervention.”
He said that in response to the horrifying discovery, the Enugu State Government has demolished the shrine and all other buildings associated with the prime suspect, citing violations of state laws.
“In line with its laws, the Enugu State Government has demolished the buildings owned by the fleeing prime suspect and used for the criminal enterprise,” he said.
He added that Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, who visited the scene of the crime, praised the joint effort that led to the girl’s rescue and arrests.
“He has also directed the Command’s Tactical Squads, as well as Investigation and Intelligence Units, to intensify efforts in tracking down the fleeing suspect and other accomplices still at large, with a firm resolve to ensure justice is served,” Ndukwe’s stated.
SAHARA REPORTERS
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