A 30-year old man, Chukwuemeka Nweke, has been arrested in Enugu for allegedly killing his neighbour’s 4-year old daughter, Miss Zinachukwu Ugwu, by slitting her throat with a knife.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect has confessed that he did so under the influence of hard drugs, which made him to commit the dastardly act.
The suspect was arrested by the Nsukka Sector of the Enugu State Command’s Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad and detained for the alleged murder, where he is undergoing interrogation over his conduct.
The Police alleged that the suspect, Nweke, cut the late Zinachukwu Ugwu, while she was sleeping. And when she was taken to the hospital, but she was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty and her body was deposited in the mortuary for autopsy report.
This was confirmed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, who said that the knife used by the suspect to commit the crime, quantities of substance suspected to be Indian hemp, and an object suspected to be a charm were recovered from him.
”Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect hails from Umuagu-Ozalla, Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state, but resides in the said compound with the child’s parents and others.”
“He initially attempted to attack other neighbours who resisted him and escaped before going into the victim’s apartment, where he saw the helpless child sleeping, and used the knife to cut her throat.”
“This was after the child’s mother had ran out to take the other of her children to safety before coming back for the victim.”
“The suspect confessed to the crime, claiming that he acted alone but under the influence of Indian hemp, methamphetamine (locally known as “Mkpuru-mmiri”), and Action bitters alcoholic drink he consumed earlier.”
“He also confessed to being a member of the Vikings Confraternity and that in 2022, while residing in Jos, Plateau State, he was involved in a cult clash during which he murdered a male member of the rival cult group.The suspect will be arraigned and prosecuted once investigations are concluded” the PPRO said.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, who described the act as barbaric and unthinkable, commiserated with the victim’s parents, siblings, and friends, assuring that everything possible would be done to secure justice for the innocent child.
The suspect may likely be charged for the alleged murder under the Criminal Laws of the State, which attracts several years of imprisonment or life imprisonment.