Tension and fear of the unknown have gripped Oghara community in Ethiope West local government area of Delta State following the alleged murder of a 43-year-old farmer, identified as Ejiro Kelvin, by suspected ritualists in the area.
It was gathered that the incident, which occurred on Thursday night in the community, has thrown many of the residents off balance as they panic over the ritualists’ activities that have spread like wild fire in the community in recent times.
But the police at the Oghara Police Division, who spoke to journalists on the condition of anonymity, said the vital parts of the body of the victim were removed with the remains dumped in the bush, adding that it was obvious that the victim was killed by suspected ritualists.
It was further gathered that the victim’s genital organ and his two ears were removed while other parts of his body were seen to be mutilated and dumped in the bush where the police discovered him after a long search.
Confirming the murder of the victim, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mustafa Muhammad told journalists in Asaba that the police were investigating the incident, adding that “I can confirm that it was a ritual murder and the police will do everything possible to bring to book the perpetrators.
“The police have removed the body of the farmer from the bush and it has been deposited in the state-owned hospital mortuary; vital parts of the body were removed. The police will ensure that the people responsible for it are brought to book.”
Meanwhile, the police commissioner disclosed that the police have arrested two persons in connection with the killing of a tricycle operator at Infant Jesus road in Asaba, adding that the suspects: James Kennedy and Emeka George, were arrested by the police on the strength of intelligence gathering in the area.
CP Muhammad disclosed that the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation, adding that the body of the tricycle operator allegedly killed last Tuesday in the area has been deposited at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) mortuary.
The tricycle operator was allegedly shot dead at night by a group of gunmen who vanished into thin air after confirming he has given up the ghost.
An eyewitness, Chinoye Egbo said the victim, identified as Chiedu Nkwokwo, is a father of two children, who hailed from Onicha South local government area of the state and was eking out a living through the use of tricycle.
