The Enugu State Police Command has apprehended a 48-year-old native doctor, Enuwa Odugu, and 67-year-old Wakwe Eze, for conspiracy and the murder of 26-year-old Chikwado Celestine Eze, son of Eze.
Earlier, The New Daily Prime gathered that social media influencer Martins ‘VeryDarkMan’ Otse posted about the incident on his platforms last week, claiming Chikwado died during a ritual where he was buried in a coffin, allegedly for a ‘success fortification’ rite.
VeryDarkMan said the incident occurred after Chikwado was buried alive for one hour and thirty minutes (1 hour, 30 minutes) as part of the ritual, which was meant to ensure his success overseas.
However, the police in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe on Tuesday revealed that the tragic event unfolded when Mr Eze took his son to the shrine of the native doctor for a ritual intended to fortify him with charms.
READ ALSO: Ondo Election: Police warns against fake news
According to the police, during the ritual, Chikwado was buried in a coffin, a practice meant to enhance his success but he died during the process.
The police further disclosed that Chikwado was rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead by the attending doctor. His body has since been deposited at the mortuary, pending an autopsy.
Additionally, the police statement said the native doctor confessed to performing the ritual and admitted that he had conducted similar rituals in the past.
The native doctor, according to the police, attributed Chikwado’s death to the victim’s failure to follow certain ritualistic guidelines that had been prescribed to him.
According to the police, the case is currently under investigation, and the suspects will be charged in court once the investigation is completed.
READ ALSO:“Jungle Justice is Criminal” – Police Issue Stern Warning Amid Rising Violence
In a related development, the police also arrested 24-year-old Okoro Chukwuebuka Kingsley and 18-year-old Ogbonna Samuel Chiedozie for the murder of 52-year-old Patience Nkem Charles.
According to the police, Kingsley, who had worked as Charles’ security guard in 2021, harboured a grudge against her, which ultimately led to the crime.
Both suspects confessed to strangling the victim in her home, and their arrest was made possible through police intelligence efforts.
“They have already been arraigned in court and remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Custodial Centre. Both cases showcase serious criminal activities linked to personal grievances and harmful traditional practices, with the police actively investigating and prosecuting those involved”, said the police.
