The people of Obuegu Okunito Amankwo Autonomous Community, Ngwo in Enugu State, have been thrown into mourning following the brutal murder of a 5-year-old boy by his own cousin.
The victim, identified as little Wisdom, a member of Obodo Agu family, was said to have been kidnapped and brutally murdered by his own first cousin, Ikedi Obodo Agu.
Ikedi, who is only 17 years old, was alleged to have kidnapped Wisdom and handed him over to a Northern security guard and he commenced negotiation for ransom with Wisdom’s family.
According to one Ezeh Emmanuel Ifesinachi, “While the family attended a traditional marriage in Nkanu, Wisdom was home playing hide and seek with other children.”
He disposed in a post on his Facebook page that “his cousin Ikedi lured him away and handed him over to his accomplice — a Hausa man also living in Ngwo, intending to sell him for ritual purposes.
“When the supposed buyer failed to show up, they turned the crime into a kidnapping attempt, demanding N15 million ransom.
“Negotiations dropped the demand to N200,000, and later N40,000, but the family insisted on hearing Wisdom’s voice before payment.
“Fearing the boy would recognize him, Ikedi — who had kept Wisdom tied and blindfolded in the bush near his father’s house, clubbed him to death and buried him there.”
He hinted that the police, when alerted, swung into action, leading to the arrest of the security guard, who works at a Company in Enugu–Onitsha Expressway.
He further stated that Ikedi was also arrested and brought home to identify the grave.
“He narrowly escaped being lynched by the youths.
“And young Wisdom’s body was exhumed, given a proper, respectful and befitting burial.
“Wisdom, ndo! May your innocent and beautiful soul rest in perfect peace.
“To you Ikedi, it's a long journey and walk to redemption. You did the crime, you will do the time.
“To Mr. Jude Amadi Obodo Agu (father of Wisdom), we pray for God’s unfailing comfort and fortitude to bear the loss.
“Ozoemena — may such evil never happen again. I think we are losing it,” Ezeh further wrote with grieving emoji.
Meanwhile, as of the time of filing this report, the police are yet to issue a statement on the reported incident.