By Eric Moore
RIVERS State Police Command has arrested a native doctor and other suspects involved in a horrific case of ritual killing of two siblings, Chizaram Onuche and Chidinma Onuche, both seven years old.
State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police (SP), confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The PPRO stated that the arrest followed a report transferred from the Special Area Division, prompting operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to take swift action.
Iringe-Koko said on March 23, 2025, at approximately 9 am, operatives arrested a native doctor and other individuals involved in the heinous crime.
She stated that during the operation, law enforcement officers recovered key evidence, including a bottle containing the drained blood of the victims.
The suspects arrested were; Aniekan Sunday Uko (male, 27 years). He is from Akwa Ibom State, residing at 2nd Pipeline, Rukpokwu.
According to the PPRO, Uko lured the victims to his location, drugged them using a drink known as Black Bullet as a sedative, and subsequently slaughtered them, collecting their blood in a bottle.
Another suspect, Lois John Uwelemele (female, 19 years), hails from Cross River State, residing at Omuike, Aluu. She is the girlfriend of the first suspect, Aniekan Uko and is linked to the crime.
Also, Kingsley Opurum (male, 43 years), is a native of Etche, Rivers State, residing at 3rd Pipeline, Eneka. He has been implicated as the native doctor complicit in the murder of the deceased.
Another suspect was Friday Silas (male, 47 years), from Plateau State, residing at 2nd Pipeline, Rukpokwu. The first suspect (Uko) claimed that he (Silas) allowed him to stay at the uncompleted building where the killings took place.
The Police spokesperson continued: “Aniekan 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. 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.”
She said the items recovered during the operation were: 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 and a spoon used to collect the victims’ blood.
Also, the victims’ bodies have been deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, has assured the public that justice will be served, and all perpetrators of the heinous crime would be prosecuted accordingly.
He said investigations were ongoing to uncover further details and possible accomplices.
The Commissioner of Police urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.