The Enugu State Police Command has arrested Ikechukwu Okoye, 33, and his 39-year-old girlfriend, Juliet Ogbodo, for allegedly kidnapping and murdering Mrs. Mary Nwatu, a 70-year-old woman.
The suspects, both from Onuorie-Obuno in Akpugo Community, Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state, allegedly murdered the deceased and buried her in a shallow grave before demanding N6 million from her children.
They were detained after receiving N20,000 from the family, purportedly to facilitate a phone call with the victim.
In a statement issued Thursday night, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, stated that the arrest was carried out by the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad in response to valid intelligence.
According to Ndukwe, early investigations revealed that Mrs. Nwatu went missing on September 15, 2024.
“On October 5, 2024, the principal suspect, Ikechukwu Okoye, who is also a kinsman of the victim, contacted her children, demanding a ransom of N6 million,” Ndukwe stated.
Okoye was subsequently arrested and reportedly confessed to the crime.
“He admitted abducting Mrs. Nwatu on September 14, 2024, at about 8 am when she came to their house to look for his mother.
“He further confessed to killing her and burying her in a shallow grave inside an uncompleted building in the compound,” the police officer said.
The suspect also acknowledged demanding a ransom from the victim’s children, originally requesting N6 million before compromising for N3 million.
However, he took an initial payment of N20,000 on the condition that the family hear their mother’s voice on the phone before making any more payments.
During interrogation, Okoye’s girlfriend, Juliet Ogbodo, admitted to being aware of the incident but said she did not report it to police due to fear.
The victim’s remains have been exhumed and placed in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
Ndukwe told everyone that the suspects, as well as any other individuals found to be complicit, would be charged in court once the inquiry was completed.
“The Enugu State Police Command remains committed to ensuring justice for the victim and her family,” Ndukwe said.
