The Anambra State Police Command has made a significant arrest in a deeply disturbing case involving the abduction and ritual murder of a young child. This development is linked to an alleged native doctor based in Enugu State, bringing to light a horrific crime that has shocked communities across two states.
Arrest and Grisly Details of the Crime
Police operatives from the Rapid Response Squad in Awkuzu apprehended a 28-year-old man, Friday Akonobi, in the early hours of January 17, 2026. His arrest is directly connected to the kidnapping and killing of a six-year-old girl, Ozioma Nwankwo.
According to the police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the young victim was abducted from the Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on May 10, 2025. She was then transported to Enugu State, where the alleged crime was finalized.
Confession Links Crime to Native Doctor
During interrogation, Akonobi reportedly confessed to his role in the atrocity. He stated that he committed the act alongside four other accomplices who are currently at large. The suspect's testimony provided a chilling motive for the crime.
Akonobi claimed that an Enugu-based alleged native doctor, Obieze Ezeani (popularly known as “Edey Play” or "Edey Show"), paid him and his cohorts the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000) each to deliver a virgin girl to him. The suspect further stated that the victim was murdered and her body used for rituals.
Broader Investigation and Manhunt
The alleged native doctor, Obieze Ezeani, is already in custody. He was initially apprehended by the Nigerian Immigration Service while attempting to flee the country through a land border. This arrest came after bodies were discovered in soakaway pits within his compound in Umumba Ndiagu, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The Anambra State Police Command has assured the public that intensive efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining four suspects connected to Ozioma's abduction. Authorities have vowed to ensure all individuals involved in this heinous act are brought to justice. The case has generated significant public attention, amplified by the circulation of related videos on social media platforms.
This tragic incident underscores ongoing security challenges and the brutal reality of ritual-related crimes in the region. The police have promised to communicate any further developments in the investigation.
