Anambra: Police arrest man over abduction, ritual murder of six-year-old girl

The Anambra State Police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, acting on credible information in the early hours of 17th January 2026, arrested one Friday Akonobi, a 28-year-old male, over alleged abduction and murder.

According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the arrest is in connection with the abduction and murder of a six-year-old girl in a case linked to an Enugu-based alleged native doctor, Obieze Ezeani, popularly known as “Edey Play” or “Edey Show.”

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was allegedly involved in the abduction of the late Miss Ozioma Nwankwo, a six-year-old girl who was kidnapped on 10th May 2025 from Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

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Ikenga stated that during interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to committing the crime in collaboration with four other accomplices who are currently at large.

He said the victim was taken to Enugu to the alleged native doctor, Obieze Ezeani, and claimed that he and his accomplices acted as agents for the doctor, who reportedly pays them One Million Naira (₦1,000,000.00) each for any virgin girl brought to him.

He further stated that the victim was murdered and used for rituals.

The suspect also said that the said native doctor has since been arrested by operatives of the Enugu State Police Command, a development that has attracted public attention following the circulation of related videos on social media.

The Anambra State Police Command assured the public that intensive efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects and ensure that all those involved are brought to justice.

Further developments will be communicated, the PPRO noted.