Rivers State Command has announced the apprehension of four suspects for allegedly killing two minors for ritual purposes.
The incident reportedly occurred at Rukpokwu in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The spokesperson for the state command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that the two deceased minors, aged seven, Chizaram Onuche and Chidinma Onuche, were said to have been lured to the location of Aniekan Uko, 27.
Further disclosure noted that Uko, after drugging both minors with a drink known as Black Bullet as a sedative, slaughtered them and drained their blood into a bottle.
However, the bodies of the deceased minors have been deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy, says the spokesperson.
Recalling how the four suspects were arrested, on 23 March, after the case was transferred from Special Area Division, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit team swung into action upon hearing about the crime.
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At approximately 9 a.m., the security officers arrested Kingsley Opurum, a 43-year-old native doctor, and other individuals in connection to the crime.
After interrogation, Uko confessed, narrating his ritual ordeal with the suspected native doctor, alleging to have seen Opurum performing similar rituals for others in exchange for wealth.
Iringe-Koko stated, “The native doctor instructed him to provide fresh human remains and blood for ritualistic purposes.”
“Law enforcement officials visited the scene of the crime, documented evidence with photographs, and recovered additional exhibits.”
“Arrested suspects are: Aniekan Sunday Uko (Male, 27 years): A native of Akwa Ibom, residing at 2nd Pipeline, Rukpokwu. He lured victims to his location, drugged them using a drink known as Black Bullet as a sedative, and subsequently slaughtered them, collecting their blood in a bottle.
” Luis John Uwelemele (Female, 19 years): A native of Cross River State, residing at Omuike, Aluu. She is the girlfriend of the first suspect, Aniekan, and is linked to the crime.
” Kingsley Opurum (Male, 43 years): A native of Etche, Rivers State, residing at 3rd Pipeline, Eneka. He has been implicated as the native doctor complicit in the murder of the deceased.
” Friday Silas (Male, 47 years): A native of Plateau State, residing at 2nd Pipeline, Rukpokwu. The first suspect claimed that he allowed him to stay at the uncompleted building where the killings took place.”
Items recovered at the crime scene include: “A kitchen knife identified as the murder weapon, a bottle filled with the victims’ blood, scooped by the suspect, an empty can of Black Bullet, used to drug the victims before the act, and a spoon, used to collect the victims’ blood.”
Assuring the public that justice will be served, Commissioner of Police (CP) Olugbenga Adepoju, stressed that all perpetrators of this heinous crime will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law as investigations are ongoing to uncover more details.
“We urge residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station. The safety and security of all citizens remain our top priority.”
