- Safiu Kehinde
The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the arrest and detention of an 18-year-old boy, Ikediekpere Obodoagu, over alleged kidnap and murder of his five-year-old male second cousin, Wisdom Obodoagu.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Command’s spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, on Wednesday in Enugu.
Ndukwe also confirmed the arrest and detention of the suspect’s accomplice, Sunday Michael, 24, a security guard at 9th Mile Corner, Enugu.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, the suspects were apprehended on the 11th and 12th of August by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad, following intelligence after ransom demands were reported.
The deceased child was first reported missing on July 26, 2025.
Ndukwe said investigations revealed that the prime suspect used his accomplice to demand N1,000,000 ransom from the victim’s father, in a bid to conceal his identity.
He added that when the ransom was not paid, the suspect murdered the child and buried him in a bush near their residence in Okinitor, Amankwo-Ngwo, Udi Local Government Area.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime,” Ndukwe stated.
He further disclosed that the prime suspect later led operatives to the site, where the victim’s body was exhumed in the presence of medical personnel, including a doctor, who certified him dead.
The spokesman said the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, had commiserated with the bereaved family and assured that the suspects would be arraigned upon conclusion of investigations.
Ndukwe added that the commissioner reiterated the Command’s commitment to detecting heinous crimes and ensuring justice.