Police nab suspected ritualists, native doctor with human skulls

Etim Ekpimah

The operatives of the Delta State Police Command have apprehended a gang of ritualists and a native doctor with two human skulls.

It was learnt that on 24/6/2021 around 5 pm, one Ejiro Okoro ‘m’ and 35 years reported that his sister (name withheld) aged 65 years, who died sometime in 2019 and was buried at Ekpan Ovu that the corpse was exhumed by unknown person.

The Ag. Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Bright Edafe on Tuesday said that based on the strength of the report, the DPO Isiokolo Division swung into action, and detailed police detectives to investigate the issue.

“During the course of investigation, information gathered through intelligence revealed that, it was one Godfrey Akpudje ‘m’, 60 years, who happens to be a native doctor that exhumed the corpse and removed the skull.

“He was immediately arrested, and two human skulls were recovered from him. He said he got one of the human skulls from Osun State from a native doctor who is now late, investigation is ongoing,” Edafe said.

On the 28/6/2021 around 11.45 am, Dragon patrol team 31 while on stop-and-search duty at Nsukwa junction along Ogwashi-Uku/Kwale road, the police were said to have intercepted a commuter sienna bus travelling from Asaba to Kwale; all passengers were asked to submit themselves for search, during the search, three suspects were found with a container filled with fresh human blood.

Edafe said, “The three suspects namely Monday Nwite ‘m’, 27; Madabuchi Nweke ‘m’, 26y, and Nwite Sunday ‘m’, 21, all of Ebenta village in Ohaukwu LGA, Ebonyi State, were immediately arrested.

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to have murdered some unknown persons in Ebonyi State and were on their way with the murdered person’s blood to a native doctor whose identity is unknown for now but resides in Kwale.

“They were taking the blood to the said native doctor or rituals purposes. One rosary necklace tied with charms was also recovered from them. Investigation is ongoing.”

The PPRO stated that the arrests were made possible owing to the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, Ari Muhammed Ali, stands on not leaving any stone unturned.

Edafe added that officers and men have continued to key into the CP’s policing strategies, noting that the CP has continuously pressed it on DPOS, tactical commanders, and other officers and men of the command to be on their toes.

“He also mandated DPOS to step up patrol in their area of responsibilities, gather intelligence, and make the presence of the police felt in the state.  This will go a long way to deter criminals from showing their ugly faces,” Edafe said.