Enugu State Police Arrest Native Doctor and Father Over Ritual Gone Wrong, Resulting in Young Man’s Death

A disturbing incident has unfolded in Enugu State, Nigeria, where a 26-year-old man, Chikwado Eze, lost his life during a botched fortification ritual. The tragic event took place at Ugbaike, Enugu Ezike, in the Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area last week. The Enugu State Police Command has announced the arrest of the native doctor, Enuwa Odugu, and Chikwado’s father, Uwakwe Eze, in connection with the incident.

According to reports, Chikwado had secured a visa to travel abroad and returned to his village to share the news with his family. However, his father insisted on a fortification ritual to ensure his success overseas. He took Chikwado to native doctor Enuwa Odugu, who claimed that the young man needed to be buried alive for 1 hour and 30 minutes to be properly fortified. Tragically, when Chikwado was exhumed, he was found dead.

The Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the incident and the arrests in a statement. “A native doctor, Enuwa Odugu, 48, and Uwakwe Eze, 67, were arrested for conspiracy and murder of Eze’s 26-year-old son, Chikwado Celestine Eze,” Ndukwe said. The statement further explained that the incident occurred when Uwakwe Eze took his son to the native doctor’s shrine for a ritual intended to fortify him with charms.

During the ritual, Chikwado was buried in a coffin but unfortunately died in the process. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead by the attending doctor, and his body was deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy. The native doctor has confessed to the crime, attributing the death of the victim to his non-adherence to certain ritualistic rules.

The case is currently under investigation, and the suspects will be arraigned in court once the investigation is concluded. This incident has raised concerns about the risks and consequences of such rituals, and the need for greater awareness and education about the dangers of such practices.

In a country where traditional beliefs and practices are deeply-rooted, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing human life and safety above all else. As the investigation continues, the public waits with bated breath for justice to be served, and for the perpetrators to be held accountable for their actions.