Tragedy struck in Ibagwa-Aka, a quiet town in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, as a local pastor and spiritualist from a sabbath church was accused of brutally killing four siblings using a pestle.
The victims; Kamsiyochukwu Ezema (7), Ezinne Ezema (6), Ujunwa Ezema (5), and Chinedu Ezema (2), all children of the same parents, were reportedly murdered in cold blood under circumstances that remain unclear.
The incident has left the community devastated and seeking answers.
Speaking on the horrific event, the Chairman of Igbo-Eze South LGA, Mr. Ferdinand Ukwueze, condemned the act in the strongest terms and pledged that those responsible would be brought to justice.
“Our community was shaken by the tragic and heinous murder of four innocent children in Ibagwa-Aka,” he said during a condolence visit to the grieving family on Saturday.
Ukwueze also led a delegation, including personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies, to the crime scene to assess the situation firsthand and oversee initial investigative actions.
“Following preliminary investigations, law enforcement agencies have apprehended some key suspects in connection with the crime, while still searching for others yet at large,” he disclosed.
The premises where the crime occurred, reportedly used for unauthorized herbal treatments and spiritual rituals, has been sealed off by order of the council chairman.
“We are fully committed to supporting the ongoing investigation and ensuring that justice is served,” Ukwueze added.
The parents of the slain children, Chinonso and Loveth Ezema, who were not at home at the time of the incident, are distraught and demanding justice.
“We want the police to thoroughly investigate this and ensure the culprit is brought to book,” the father said in anguish.
While the entire Ibagwa-Aka community grieves, efforts are ongoing to ensure such a tragedy never occurs again.
The local government, in collaboration with security forces, has promised to intensify surveillance and improve public safety.
Attempts to get a response from the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, were unsuccessful as he neither answered calls nor responded to a text message requesting his comments on the matter.
