A pastor and suspected ritualist, Marshall Nwankwo of Dikeukwu community, in Umuahia is in Police net for allegedly murdering a hunchback, Mr Ukata Iheme for ritual purpose.
According to Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Onyeke Udeviotu, the pastor was arrested following information that he was seen with the hunchback on the day of his disappearance.
Upon interrogation, the suspect was said to have made useful statements leading to the discovery of the shallow grave from which the decomposing body of the victim was recovered last Tuesday.
Sources close to the community said that following the hunchback's disappearance on 10th of October 2015, the community contacted the police and also made announcements on local radio stations.
According to the youth leader of Dikeukwu community, Mr Chukwudi Egwu,
“We got information that the hunchback was seen on that fatefulday at Dubai market Onuimo, drinking wine with the pastor.
‘’Some people also said they later came to a beer parlour at Dikenta village drinking together. But the pastor denied setting eyes on him that day.”
Egwu revealed that a pair of shoes belonging to the hunchback was found when the youths conducted a search on the pastor's church.
His words ;
“This boosted our morale and as we continued combing the area, we also saw his shorts in a nearby cassava plantation.
‘’It was at that point that we combed the entire place and saw a mount of red soil which we strongly believed must be a grave.
“We, therefore, decided to contact the Police who came and we opened the shallow grave and found his decomposing body inside, with his genitals and hunchback missing.”
The suspect reportedly committed the crime with an accomplice, Emeka Okoye who is now on the run.
Meanwhile, Police spokesman Udeviotu has appealed for calm as investigation is still ongoing.
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