Three children were discovered dead at the home of a female witch doctor, popularly known as “Ezenwanyi,” in Umuoduba Village, Ideani, Idemili North LGA, Anambra State.
A fourth child, discovered unconscious with the others, was rescued and taken to the hospital, where the sufferer is now in critical condition, according to authorities.
The event, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, has left the neighborhood in shock, with many struggling to comprehend the circumstances behind the fatalities.
Residents stated four children, aged six to fifteen, were discovered unconscious within the woman’s residential property. While three children were confirmed dead, the fourth, who was still breathing, was transported to the hospital by residents before emergency responders arrived.
As of the time of filing this report, the identity of the minors and how they came to be on the grounds remained unknown.
A resident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, claimed the woman, who keeps livestock such as pigs and poultry birds on the complex, was apprehended by Ogidi Divisional Police Headquarters operatives working with community elders.
“The four children were found unconscious in the woman’s compound. Three were already lifeless when they were discovered, while the fourth child was still breathing and was rushed to the hospital. The incident has left everyone in the community in shock,” the resident said.
Social media videos showed the Divisional Police Officer of the Ogidi Division, accompanied by community leaders, local security officers, and the President-General of the Ideani Community, visiting the scene shortly after the incident.
The video also showed the suspect leading security personnel around various parts of the site, including shrines and residential quarters, while residents watched from a distance.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, confirmed the event, saying police operatives from the Ogidi Division responded quickly after receiving a distress report.
He stated that the victims were brought to a hospital for emergency treatment, where medical doctors confirmed that three of the children had died, while the fourth was admitted in critical condition.
Ikenga stated that the female suspect is currently in police custody and that the State Criminal Investigation Department has taken over the case to conduct a thorough investigation.
He said, “The Anambra State Police Command expresses 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.
“Upon receipt of the information, the rescue team led by police operatives attached to Ogidi Police Station rushed the victims immediately to a hospital for emergency medical attention.
“Regrettably, three of the children were certified dead by medical doctors, while the fourth victim is currently receiving treatment in a critical condition.
“A female suspect is currently in police custody in connection with the incident, while the State Criminal Investigation Department shall take over the case and conduct a thorough, professional, intelligence-driven, and evidence-based investigation.”
According to a police spokeswoman, detectives are hopeful that the surviving child’s statement, pending medical recuperation and clearance, will assist them in understanding the facts behind the tragedy.
He further stated that the bodies of the deceased had been placed in a morgue for preservation and autopsy.
Ikenga expressed the command’s sympathies to the slain families and the Ideani community, encouraging citizens to remain calm, refrain from circulating unsubstantiated information, and enable investigators to complete their task.
He stated that additional updates will be released as the inquiry progresses.
