A pastor from one of the white garment churches was reportedly detained in connection with the deaths of four siblings in Enugu State’s Igbo Eze South Local Government Area.
Mr Ferdinand Ukwueze, the council chairman, confirmed the arrest during a visit to the deceased’s family on Saturday, but he did not identify the suspect, who was claimed to be a pastor of the Sabbath Church in the region.
The children, Kamsiyochukwu Ezema (seven), Ezinne Ezema (six), Ujunwa Ezema (five), and Chinedu Ezema (two), were allegedly brutally murdered with a pestle by the pastor and his accomplices, who are currently on the run.
According to local sources who talked to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, the motives for the incident are unclear because the police have not released the results of their investigation.
However, addressing the family of the deceased’s children shortly after visiting the crime scene, the LG boss decried the heinous deed and said that justice will be done.
Ukwueze then ordered that the premises where the incident occurred be sealed immediately.
He expressed regret for the regrettable tragedy, saying, “Our community was shaken by the tragic and heinous murder of four innocent children in Ibagwa-Aka, Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area.
“I am deeply saddened by this act of senseless violence and extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of the victims.
“Today, I visited the crime scene in the company of officers of the Nigeria Police Force, the DSS, the civil defence and other relevant security operatives to assess the situation firsthand and to ensure that immediate steps are taken to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Following preliminary investigations, law enforcement agencies have apprehended some key suspects in connection with the crime while still searching for others yet at large.
“Additionally, the premises reasonably believed as alleged to be used for unauthorised herbal medicine operations, rendering of informal psychiatric services and other yet-to-be-fully-explained spiritual activities, alleged to be linked to the prime suspects and the crime scene, have been sealed by the Igbo-Eze South Local Government Authority pending the outcome of the investigation report by the police.
“We ask for the continued cooperation of law-abiding members of the public, the civil society organisations, as we urge anyone with relevant security information to exercise the liberty of assisting law enforcement authorities with same, as confidentiality is always guaranteed,” he said.
Mr and Mrs Chinonso Ezema, the deceased’s parents, sought justice, saying, “We want the police to thoroughly investigate this and ensure the culprit is brought to book.”
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Police Command has remained silent on the incident, as attempts to speak with the command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, were unsuccessful because he could not take his calls or respond to a text message seeking his comment as of the time of writing this report on Sunday evening.
He stressed the council’s support for a full and thorough investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that justice was served.
“I wish to assure the people of Igbo-Eze South that we will continue to collaborate closely with security agencies to strengthen surveillance, enhance community safety, and prevent such grievous incidents from recurring.
