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A gruesome discovery was made in Enugu, where the lifeless body of a four-year-old girl was found, sparking an immediate investigation. Police have since taken a suspect into custody, identified as the child’s neighbor, in connection with the disturbing crime.
According to DSP Daniel Ndukwe, Police Public Relations Officer for Enugu State Command, a distressing call was received by the command on August 18, 2024, at approximately 10:30 PM, setting off a swift response to a dire situation.
The Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad’s Nsukka sector, part of the Enugu State Command, promptly responded to the distress call by dispatching police operatives to a compound located on Orba Road in the Nsukka Local Government Area.
The distress call brought to light a horrific claim: the alleged slaying of a four-year-old girl.
As a result, the police operatives apprehended Nweke Chukwuemeka, a 30-year-old suspect, who is accused of brutally murdering four-year-old Zinachukwu Ugwu in her sleep, in a heinous crime that has left the community reeling.
The lifeless body of the child was taken to the hospital, confirmed dead, and deposited in the mortuary.
Additionally, the knife used by the suspect to commit the crime, quantities of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, and an object suspected to be a charm were recovered from him.
Read also: Enugu To Raze Buildings Used As Kidnappers’ Hideaways
Ndukwe said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect hails from Umuagu-Ozalla in Nkanu West Local Government Area, but resides in the said compound with the child’s parents and others.
Before targeting the victim, the assailant first tried to attack nearby residents who bravely fought back and managed to escape. He then broke into the victim’s apartment, where he found the innocent child sleeping, and committed the heinous act of cutting her throat with a knife.
Tragically, the attack occurred after the mother had briefly left the apartment to escort another child to safety, returning to find her worst nightmare had become a reality.
During questioning, the suspect admitted to the crime, stating that he had acted alone but was under the influence of a combination of substances, including Indian hemp, methamphetamine (also known as “Mkpuru-mmiri”), and Action Bitters, an alcoholic beverage.
The suspect further revealed that he was a member of the Vikings Confraternity and had a history of violent involvement, including a 2022 incident in Jos, Plateau State, where he participated in a deadly cult clash, resulting in the murder of a rival cult member.
Now that the bulk of the investigative work is behind them, authorities are turning their attention to the next step: bringing the suspect to court for arraignment and trial.
Commissioner of Police Kanayo Uzuegbu has condemned the act as utterly reprehensible, saying it’s a shocking and senseless crime that defies comprehension.
The Commissioner extended his deepest sympathies to the victim’s family and friends, reassuring them that investigators would exhaust every avenue to ensure the child’s tragic death did not go unpunished.
Commissioner Uzuegbu has tasked the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State CID, Enugu, with wrapping up the investigation and bringing the case to court in the shortest time possible, leaving no room for delay.
To help prevent similar tragedies, Commissioner Uzuegbu urged residents to be aware of their neighbors’ habits and behaviors, promoting a culture of mutual respect and understanding that can help identify potential warning signs.
