Enugu State Police Command has successfully rescued a 13-year-old girl allegedly kidnapped for ritual purposes and arrested three suspects in connection with the crime. The rescue operation was carried out in the early hours of May 27, 2025, at Umuojor village, Ishiagu community, in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The operation was a joint effort involving police operatives, Neighbourhood Watch personnel, and vigilant members of the local community, according to a statement issued by SP Daniel Ndukwe, spokesperson for the Enugu State Police Command.
“The 13-year-old girl was rescued at about 3:15 a.m., and three suspects were apprehended during the operation. A fourth suspect, a native doctor and alleged ringleader, fled the scene and is currently at large,” Ndukwe stated.
Grisly Discovery: Decomposing Bodies Found in Ritual Shrine
Authorities discovered a horrifying scene inside the uncompleted building where the girl was held. Two decomposing bodies, one male and one female, were recovered from a concrete-sealed pit, believed to be used as part of a ritual killing operation.
“The building, owned and used as a shrine by the fleeing prime suspect, contained a sealed pit where the bodies were buried. Preliminary investigations suggest that the victims were murdered for ritual purposes, and the rescued girl was moments away from being killed,” Ndukwe added.
Prime Suspect Identified as Native Doctor, Still at Large
The prime suspect, described as a native doctor and well-known figure in the community, is on the run. Police say efforts are underway to track him and any remaining accomplices still at large.
In response to the discovery, the Enugu State Government has demolished the buildings used in the alleged criminal activity, as part of its zero-tolerance policy toward ritual killings and illegal shrines.
Police Commissioner Orders Manhunt, Commends Rescue Team
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Giwa, visited the crime scene personally and commended the collaborative effort between security forces and local residents. He has ordered the Command’s Tactical Squads, Investigation, and Intelligence Units to intensify the manhunt for the fugitive suspect.
“This rescue is a testament to what can be achieved through community-police collaboration. The Command will not rest until the fleeing ritualist and any accomplices face the full weight of the law,” CP Giwa emphasized.
