Rivers Police arrest four over ritual killing of two children

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with the ritual killing of two seven-year-old children, Chizaram Onuche and Chidinma Onuche, in Rukpokwu Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

The tragic incident, which occurred on Monday, was reported at the Rumuokoro Special Area Division, leading to swift police intervention.

According to reports, the prime suspect had sent the children on an errand. Upon their return, he lured them into an uncompleted building, drugged them, and later killed them. The suspect allegedly mutilated their bodies, cutting off vital parts and collecting their blood in a bottle.

Confirming the arrests on Tuesday, Rivers State Police spokesperson SP Grace Iringe-Koko stated that four individuals, including a native doctor, the prime suspect, his girlfriend, and another accomplice, had been detained.

“The Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform the public of the arrest of suspects involved in a horrific case of ritual killing of two children,” she said.

She revealed that the arrested individuals include:

Aniekan Sunday Uko (27 years old): The prime suspect, from Akwa Ibom, residing in Rukpokwu, who lured, drugged, and killed the children before collecting their blood.

Luis John Uwelemele (19 years old): The suspect’s girlfriend, from Cross River, who has been linked to the crime.

Kingsley Opurum (43 years old): A native doctor from Etche, Rivers State, accused of instructing the prime suspect to provide fresh human remains for ritual purposes.

Friday Silas (47 years old): A resident of Rukpokwu who allegedly allowed the suspect to stay in the uncompleted building where the murders took place.

During the operation, law enforcement officers recovered key evidence, including a bottle filled with the victims’ blood, a kitchen knife used in the killings, an empty can of Black Bullet (the sedative used to drug the children), and a spoon used to collect the blood.

SP Iringe-Koko disclosed that the bodies of the victims had been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy and preservation. She assured the public that the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, remains committed to ensuring justice is served.