The Enugu State Police Command has announced the arrest of Nweke Chukwuemeka, a 30-year-old suspect, in connection with the alleged murder of a four-year-old female child, Zinachukwu Ugwu.
According to a statement released on Tuesday night by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the suspect was apprehended on August 18, 2024, at approximately 10:30 p.m. in the Nsukka Local Government Area, specifically on Orba Road.
The arrest was made by operatives from the Nsukka Sector of the Enugu State Command’s Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, who responded to a distress call reporting the murder of a four-year-old girl.
The suspect, Nweke Chukwuemeka, is alleged to have brutally murdered the child, Zinachukwu Ugwu, while she was asleep. The victim’s body was transported to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead, and subsequently deposited in the mortuary.
“The operatives consequently arrested one Nweke Chukwuemeka “m” aged 30, alleged to have gruesomely murdered the female child, Zinachukwu Ugwu, in cold blood while she was sleeping. The 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,” he said.
Ndukwe stated that a preliminary investigation has 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.
“He initially attempted to attack other neighbours who resisted him; and he 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 her other 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 had 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 spokesman stated that the suspect will be arraigned and prosecuted once investigations are concluded.
The Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, according to the statement described the act as barbaric and unthinkable.
“He condoles the victim’s parents, siblings, and friends, assuring that everything possible will be done to secure justice for the innocent child. Hence, he orders 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.
“Moreover, the CP has urged the citizenry to, as much as possible, be conversant with the behavioural patterns of their neighbours to avert senseless incidents of this nature, ” the statement reads in part.
