Crime
Anambra: Missing Child’s school uniform found in a shrine
Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Ngozi Okonkwo. I am an indigene of Umunnama community in Eziowelle, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. I am 55 years old. I am a petty trader and I am married with kids and a grandchild.
Your grandson was reportedly abducted. Can you recall the incident?
Yes. My grandson, Tukwasichukwuobi Okonkwo, has been missing since 2019. He was taken away alongside his classmate, Chinenye, by abductors on January 19, 2019. It was while they were waiting for their teachers and other pupils to come and conduct the morning assembly in the school compound at Uzubi Nursery and Primary School that their captors came and took them away and till date, they have not been found.
It was my daughter, Amara, who used to drop them off at their school before she would proceed to her own school. She was in secondary school also located along the same road. What happened was on the morning she dropped the children, the teachers had yet to come to school, so the children were left alone in the compound and that was what gave the captors the chance to lure the children away.
Was there no security guard at the school?
There was no security guard at the school. It was an open compound; no fence and no gate.
How old was your grandson as of the time he was taken away by the assailants?
He was seven years old in 2019, by now he ought to be 10.
What about his parents?
The mother had him when she was living with me. And when she got married, she did not take the child along.
How did you get the news of his disappearance?
I waited for him to return from school after school hours on that fateful day as other kids were coming back home, but he did not return. While I was getting ready to go to the school to check up on him at about 3pm, a teacher from the school walked into my house and told me that my attention was needed in the school. On getting to the school, the teachers told me that someone brought the school uniforms and bags of the missing kids to the school and told them that he picked the items from a shrine known as ‘Ogwugwu’ in Eziowelle. When I searched my grandson’s bag, I found some packets of biscuits inside, even when I did not buy any biscuits for him when he was leaving for school in the morning.
And what did the school authorities say?
The school authorities told me that they did not even know that the two missing kids came to school that day because they (school authorities) had not reached the school before the kids were lured away by the suspects.
Who is the person that was said to have returned their uniforms and how is he related to you?
There is no blood relation; just a member of the community.
Did you visit the shrine where the uniforms were said to have been found?
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We visited the place, but we did not find the children. Even the person in charge of the shrine was nowhere to be found.
Did you report the matter to the police?
It was at that stage that I rushed to Eziowelle Police Station and lodged a complaint and consequently, the police first arrested the person that brought the uniforms, and in the end, investigations revealed that it was his elder brother, whose name is Onyedika, that transported those children, together with some others at large, in his tricycle. He is a tricycle operator. They lured the innocent children from the school with packets of biscuits.
What did the police do?
The police arrested and detained him, but granted him bail the following day. Not satisfied with the speed with which the police released the suspect, I went to the state Criminal Investigations Department, Awka, and lodged a fresh complaint, which prompted the arrest of the school headmistress and Tukwasichukwuobi’s class teacher and also the school manager who is a Catholic priest. At the state CID, the traditional ruler of Eziowelle sent someone to take the bail of Onyedika, because they are closely related. It was my petition to the Inspector-General of Police, and the quick response that reinvigorated the case which prompted the police to arraign Onyedika in 2021 after two years of dilly-dally, otherwise, the case would have died off as planned by the suspect and his cohorts.
What is the state of the matter now?
The matter was charged to court in 2021 and ever since then, it has been from one adjournment to another, while the suspect and his cohorts go about threatening me and my family. They go about boasting that the matter will not see the light of the day, no matter what I do. It is a pity that this kidnap matter has gone on adjournment over 15 times. The only day we had a ruling on it was the first day when the plea for the bail of the suspects was heard and the suspects were granted bail. Ever since, it has been from one adjournment to another. All I am seeking is for all the relevant authorities, including the judicial council, to intervene in this matter and ensure accelerated hearing to ensure that justice is served for those missing innocent children. My grandson must not be allowed to die in vain; it is possible that they have killed the children for ritual purposes or possibly sold them off, but whatever, I just want justice to prevail in this matter to serve as a deterrent to others who may think that laws don’t work.
What about the parents of the other kid that was kidnapped along with your grandson?
They have been frustrated and they are tired of pursuing the matter, the frequent adjournments here and there have made them to back out. But as for me, I will see this matter to a logical conclusion, with the help of God. I am also seeking the support of civil society organisations to help prevail on the court for accelerated hearing on the matter.
Where is the case being handled and what stage is it?
It is at the Ogidi Magistrates’ Court 1 in the Idemili North LGA of Anambra State. The matter came up last Thursday, but the Chief Magistrate court One handling the matter did not sit and it was subsequently adjourned till December 6, 2022. I was hoping that, at least, trial proper would commence on Thursday, but I was disappointed when they announced that the magistrate did not sit and subsequently the matter was adjourned.
I am not satisfied with the way the case is being handled. First, the police tried to bury the matter, before it was charged to court. Now at the court, it has been from one adjournment to another without any concrete thing done yet.
Are you suspecting any foul play as regards this issue?
I am suspecting that my grandson’s suspected abductors may have the backing of some powerful individuals, if not, how will you describe the incessant setbacks they have deliberately introduced in the matter?
Where are the school uniforms that were found in the shrine?
They have been tendered as exhibits and in the custody of the police.
Have you for once suspected any ritual killing in the incident?
A lot of things are being suspected, especially as they said their school uniforms were found in a shrine, but I want to remain positive so long as it has not being stated in that direction. Other thoughts like the possibility of the children being sold also flash through my mind, but it is better that the children were sold and are still alive than being ritually killed or whatever, although, no parents pray for either of these.
PUNCH
A 47-year-old man, Ugochukwu Eze, popularly known as “Amazon,” was on Thursday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos over allegations of hacking into the server of Suntrust Bank Plc and fraudulently diverting more than N800 million into multiple bank accounts.
Eze was arraigned before Justice Friday Ogazi by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The prosecution counsel, M. Bajela, told the court that the defendant, alongside others still at large, allegedly conspired between 2023 and 2026 to unlawfully interfere with the bank’s computer system, resulting in the diversion of over N800 million belonging to Suntrust Bank.
The DSS further alleged that Eze concealed and transferred proceeds linked to the cyberattacks on financial institutions and unlawfully gained access to critical national financial information infrastructure.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences contravene Sections 5, 6(1) and 8 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024, as well as Sections 10, 20 and 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Following the plea, Bajela urged the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant pending the determination of the case.
Defence counsel, E. Afrogha, informed the court that a bail application had already been filed, noting that Eze had been in DSS custody for more than a month.
The prosecutor, however, said he had not yet been served with the bail application and added that the prosecution was ready to proceed with its witnesses.
After hearing both parties, Justice Ogazi adjourned the case until August 24 for the hearing of the bail application. The judge also ordered that Eze be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the hearing and determination of his bail request.
One of the charges reads: “That you, Ugochukwu Eze, alias ‘Amazon’, sometime between 2023 and 2026 in Lagos and other places within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, unlawfully hindered the function of Suntrust Bank Plc’s computer system and, in the process, fraudulently diverted over N800 million belonging to the bank.”
The prosecution said the alleged offence is punishable under Section 8 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024.
By Chinedu Sabastine
ENUGU — The Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) has called on traditional rulers, Presidents-General and other community leaders to end violence and human rights abuses against persons accused of witchcraft in their communities.
The Convener of AfAW, Dr. Leo Igwe, made the call on Thursday in Enugu during a press briefing ahead of the 2026 World Day Against Witch Hunts, scheduled for August 10.
Speaking on this year’s theme, “Chiefs and Ending Witch Hunts in Communities,” Igwe said the campaign seeks to highlight the critical role of traditional rulers and community leaders in combating witchcraft-related violence.
He alleged that some chiefs and community leaders fuel witch hunts by encouraging or condoning assaults, public humiliation, banishment and other forms of abuse against people labelled as witches.
Igwe urged traditional institutions to desist from actions that promote witchcraft accusations, stressing that many victims are elderly people living with dementia or adherents of traditional religions who are wrongly branded as witches.
He noted that countries such as Scotland have abolished laws and practices that encouraged the persecution of alleged witches, urging Nigerian communities, particularly in the South-East, to embrace similar human rights standards.
“AfAW urges chiefs to take urgent measures to end abuses linked to witchcraft beliefs and ritual attacks in their communities. This call aligns with the 2021 United Nations resolution urging states to combat human rights violations committed in the name of witchcraft beliefs or ritual practices,” he said.
According to Igwe, the month of August is dedicated to raising awareness of abuses arising from witchcraft accusations and promoting measures to end them.
He said AfAW, established in 2020, is spearheading a decade-long campaign running from 2020 to 2030 to eradicate witch hunts across Africa.
Igwe maintained that traditional rulers play a pivotal role in either sustaining or ending witch persecution.
“In many communities, chiefs preside over witch trials, banishments and other forms of persecution. Some condone jungle justice and regard witch hunting as part of tradition rather than a violation of human rights,” he alleged.
He called on traditional rulers to become advocates against witch persecution, insisting that witch hunting is unconstitutional and cannot be justified under the guise of culture or tradition.
“All chiefs should become agents of positive and progressive change by helping to eradicate witch persecution and other abuses linked to witchcraft accusations in communities across Nigeria and Africa,” he added.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a female native doctor in connection with the mysterious death of three children in Ideani Community, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said efforts to save the children were unsuccessful, except for one child who survived and is currently receiving treatment. He noted that investigators are hopeful the survivor’s account will provide crucial information to aid the ongoing investigation.
According to Ikenga, the Command received a report on August 5, 2026, about four unconscious children found at a residential premises in Umuoduba Village, Ideani.
“The Anambra State Police Command, today, 5th August 2026, expressed profound sadness over the discovery of four unconscious children at a residential premises in Umuoduba Village, Ideani, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State,” he said.
He explained that a rescue team led by police operatives attached to the Ogidi Police Station immediately rushed the victims to a hospital for emergency medical treatment.
“Regrettably, three of the children were certified dead by medical doctors, while the fourth victim is currently receiving treatment in a critical condition,” Ikenga stated.
He disclosed that a female suspect is currently in police custody in connection with the incident, adding that the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has taken over the case for a thorough, professional, intelligence-driven, and evidence-based investigation.
The police spokesperson further expressed optimism that, subject to the survivor’s recovery and medical clearance, the child’s testimony would help unravel the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident and support further investigative efforts. He added that the bodies of the deceased have been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
While extending condolences to the bereaved families and sympathizing with the people of Ideani Community, the Police Command urged members of the public to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and allow investigators to conclude their work.
The Nigerian Army has arrested two serving soldiers over their alleged involvement in an unauthorised deployment during the wedding ceremony of Nigerian content creator Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, and fellow TikTok personality Jarvis.
The arrests followed intelligence indicating that the soldiers allegedly participated in an illegal deployment at the celebrity wedding held in Lekki, Lagos State, over the weekend.
The personnel were apprehended on Tuesday morning as the Army commenced investigations into the incident.
The arrested soldiers were identified as 23NA/85/10007 Private Onasanya Ifeoluwa of the 81 Division Medical Services and Hospital (81DMSH) and 23NA/85/7885 Private Ukpai Onyinyechi, also attached to the 81DMSH in Obalende, Lagos.
A report on the incident stated: “Following credible intelligence on the involvement of Nigerian Army personnel in illegal deployment during a popular social influencer’s wedding known as Peller at Lekki, Lagos, the Group arrested 23NA/85/10007 PTE Onasanya Ifeoluwa of 81 Division Medical Services and Hospital (81DMSH) and 23NA/85/7885 PTE Ukpai Onyinyechi of 81DMSH at Obalende this morning.”
It added that a preliminary investigation was ongoing to determine the extent of their involvement and identify other personnel connected with the incident.
“Further details will be forwarded as the investigation unfolds,” the report stated.
The arrests came after videos from the high-profile wedding circulated widely on social media, showing uniformed military personnel providing security around some of the celebrity guests.
One of the videos that attracted significant public attention allegedly showed a Nigerian soldier acting as a bouncer for TikTok personality Ivanna, escorting her through the crowded venue.
The footage sparked criticism online, with many Nigerians questioning the presence and alleged deployment of military personnel at a private social event involving influencers and celebrities.
The wedding, held in Lekki over the weekend, attracted prominent entertainers, social media influencers and content creators, with videos from the ceremony dominating social media platforms.
The controversy emerged after clips surfaced showing men in military uniforms controlling access to parts of the venue and escorting some attendees.
The Nigerian Army has repeatedly maintained that serving personnel are prohibited from undertaking unauthorised private security duties or participating in deployments without official approval.
Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have rescued four kidnapped victims in two separate intelligence-driven joint operations conducted within Enugu State and across the border with Benue State.
The operations also led to the recovery of 15 rounds of live ammunition and other exhibits, while the decomposing body of another kidnap victim, who was allegedly shot by his abductors while in captivity, was recovered.
The command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
In the first operation, operatives of the Udenu Police Division, Anti-Kidnapping Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and Distress Response Squad (DRS), in collaboration with operatives of the Orukam Police Division of the Benue State Command, Benue State Civil Protection Guards, Nigerian Army, Enugu State Forest Guards, Neighbourhood Watch members and Ezimo Vigilante Group, rescued two brothers who were abducted on August 3, 2026, at Ezimo-Ulo in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The operation, which also leveraged the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu’s Handshake Patrol initiative, was carried out across the Enugu-Benue border.
The victims were rescued unhurt at about 1:40 p.m. on August 4, 2026, at Ikele, Owukpa Community, Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, following an intense gun duel that forced the kidnappers to flee with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
Recovered from the kidnappers’ hideout were 15 rounds of live ammunition, the victims’ Android phones and car keys, other mobile phones and accessories, a bottle containing suspected hard drugs and drug paraphernalia, clothing items and ₦11,800.
The rescued victims were subsequently debriefed and reunited with their family.
In the second operation, operatives of the Command’s Umabor Police Division, Anti-Kidnapping Section of the VCRU, Enugu State Forest Guards and Neighbourhood Watch members rescued two victims abducted on July 31, 2026, at Amukpa Village, Ogbozara Community, Nsukka Local Government Area.
The Police, however, said another victim was found dead from gunshot injuries sustained while in captivity, with his decomposing body recovered from the forest.
The two rescued victims were debriefed and reunited with their families.
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the operatives and other supporting security teams for their courage, professionalism and effective collaboration.
Giwa directed the operatives to sustain the ongoing manhunt for the fleeing suspects and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating violent crime and protecting residents across the state.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing the Police with credible and actionable information that could assist ongoing security operations.
The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, on August 4, 2026.
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