By EKENE NKWOR
Operatives of the Nigerian Police serving in the Nsukka Sector of the Enugu State Command’s Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad have arrested a 30-year-old man for the murder of a neighbour’s four-year-old daughter.
The arrest was made at Orba Road in Nsukka Local Government Area, upon receiving a distress call.
The suspect, Nweke Chukwuemeka, aged 30, is alleged to have murdered a female child, Zinachukwu Ugwu, while she was sleeping.
The lifeless body of the child was taken to the hospital, confirmed dead, and deposited in the mortuary.
A police statement signed by Enugu Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe said 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.
According to him, “Preliminary investigation reveals 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.
“He initially attempted to attack other neighbours who resisted him and escaped before going into the victim’s apartment, where he saw the helpless child sleeping, and used the knife to cut through her throat.
“This was after the mother of the child had run out to take the other of her children to safety before coming back for the victim.
“Further revealed is that the suspect confessed to the crime, claiming that he acted alone but under the influence of Indian hemp, methamphetamine (locally known as “Mkpuru-mmiri”), and Action Bitters alcoholic drink he consumed earlier.
“He also confessed to being a member of the Vikings Confraternity and that in 2022, while residing in Jos, Plateau State, he was involved in a cult clash during which he murdered a male member of the rival cult group.
Police said the suspect would be arraigned and prosecuted once investigations are concluded.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, who has described the act as barbaric and unthinkable, commiserated with the victim’s parents, siblings, and friends, assuring that everything possible will be done to secure justice for the innocent child.
He ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State CID Enugu to ensure that ongoing investigations are concluded, and the case prosecuted within record time.