The Rivers State Police Command has arrested four suspects, including a native doctor and a teenage girl, allegedly involved in the ritual killing of two siblings – Chizaram Onuche and Chidinma Onuche.
The incident happened at the Ogbodo Pipeline area of Rukpokwu in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area (LGA).
The state police spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement on Wednesday, said following a report transferred from the Special Area Division, the operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit took swift action and arrested the suspects.
She said during the operation, law enforcement officers recovered key evidence, including a bottle containing the drained blood of the victims, both seven years old.
Those arrested, according to Koko, were Aniekan Sunday Uko, Luis John Uwelemele, Kingsley Opurum and Friday Silas.
Uko, 27, according to Linda Ojims, a lawyer helping with the police investigation, allegedly lured the children to a location, drugged them, and then killed them. He also drained their blood.
Ojims said the children were coming back from church when Uko stopped them and took them to an uncompleted building.
“The children were coming back from church. So along the line, the suspect, I don’t know whether he hypnotised or lured them, took them to an uncompleted building. He then induced the drink he gave to them. The children slept, he raped and murdered them,” Ojims said.
The police spokesperson said during interrogation Uko confessed that he became involved in the ritual killing after visiting the native doctor and witnessing him perform similar rituals for others in exchange for wealth.
She said 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. The following items were retrieved: 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. A spoon, used to collect the victims’ blood,” she said.
Koko said the deceased victims’ bodies have been deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, assured the public that the suspects would face justice.
Adepoju urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
“Investigations are ongoing to uncover further details and possible accomplices. The safety and security of all citizens remain our top priority,” he said.
