Native Doctor, Father Arrested After Man Dies in Failed Ritual

The Enugu State Police Command has taken into custody a native doctor, Enuwa Odugu, and Mr. Uwakwe Eze, the father of a 26-year-old man named Chikwado Eze, who tragically lost his life during a failed fortification ritual.

The incident occurred in Ugbaike, Enugu Ezike, located in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, last week.

Reports reveal that Chikwado, after obtaining a visa to travel abroad, returned to his village to share the good news with his father. However, Mr. Uwakwe insisted on performing a fortification ritual to secure his son’s success overseas and brought him to the native doctor, Odugu.

Odugu allegedly suggested that Chikwado be buried alive for one hour and 30 minutes as part of the fortification process. Sadly, when Chikwado was exhumed after the specified time, he was found dead.

Confirming the incident, the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, released a statement saying that both the father and the native doctor had been arrested.

The statement read: “A native doctor, Enuwa Odugu, aged 48, and Uwakwe Eze, aged 67, were apprehended on charges of conspiracy and murder of Eze’s 26-year-old son, Chikwado Celestine Eze.

“The incident reportedly took place when Uwakwe Eze brought his son to the native doctor’s shrine for a ritual meant to fortify him with charms. During the process, the deceased was buried in a coffin but tragically lost his life.

“He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors confirmed his death, and his body was taken to the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.”

The statement added that the native doctor confessed to the crime and to having performed similar rituals in the past, attributing Chikwado’s death to the young man’s failure to follow certain ritualistic instructions.

The police further noted that investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will face trial once inquiries are complete.