October 23, 2024
Adesakin Adefemi
A devastating incident occurred in Ugbaike, Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, leaving a young man dead after a botched fortification ritual.
Chikwado Eze, 26, had secured a visa to travel abroad and returned to his village to share the news with his father, Mr. Uwakwe Eze. However, his father insisted on a fortification ritual to ensure his success overseas.
Uwakwe Eze took his son to a native doctor, Onuwa, who claimed that Chikwado needed to be buried alive for 1 hour and 30 minutes to be properly fortified. Tragically, when Chikwado was exhumed after the stipulated time, he was found dead.
The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the incident, stating that Uwakwe Eze and the native doctor, Enuwa Odugu, 48, have been arrested for conspiracy and murder.
According to DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the Police Command’s spokesperson, the native doctor had confessed to the crime and previous performance of such rituals. Odugu attributed the death of the victim to his non-adherence to certain ritualistic rules.
The police stated that Chikwado’s body has been deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy. The case is under investigation, and the suspects will be arraigned in court once investigations are concluded.
This incident raises concerns about the dangers of harmful traditional practices and the importance of prioritizing safety and well-being over cultural or superstitious beliefs.
The community is shocked by the tragic loss of young Chikwado, who had a promising future ahead of him. The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of seeking harmful and unproven solutions.
The Enugu State Police Command has urged the public to be aware of the dangers of such practices and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
