By Flowerbudnews
The Police Command in Enugu State has
detained one Chukwuemeka Nweke, 30, for alleged gruesome murder of his neighbour’s 4-year-old, Miss Zinachukwu Ugwu, in cold blood while she was sleeping.
The Command’s Spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said in s statement on Wednesday in Enugu that Nweke was detained for investigation on Aug. 18, 2024 at about 10:30p.m.
Ndukwe noted that on Aug.18,
police operatives serving in the Command’s Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad hastened to a compound at Orba Road within Nsukka Local Government Area, upon receiving a distress call alleging murder of a 4-year-old girl.
According to him, the lifeless body of the child was taken to the hospital, confirmed dead, and deposited in the mortuary.
The command’s spokesman further said that 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, “A preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect hails from Umuagu-Ozalla in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State 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.
“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.”
Ndukwe said that the suspect 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.
He noted that the suspect would be arraigned and prosecuted once investigations are concluded.
“The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, has described the act as barbaric and unthinkable.
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“The commissioner 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 Criminal Investigation Department Enugu to ensure that ongoing investigations are concluded, and the case prosecuted within record time.
“The commissioner also urged the citizenry to, as much as possible, be conversant with the behavioural patterns of their neighbours to avert senseless incidents of this nature,” he added.
