A 30-year-old man, Nweke Chukwuemeka, has been arrested by the Enugu State Police Command for the horrific murder of his neighbor’s 4-year-old daughter, Zinachukwu Ugwu, in the Nsukka area of Enugu State. The tragic incident occurred on the night of August 18, 2024, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the arrest, revealing that police operatives from the Nsukka Sector of the Enugu State Command’s Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad responded swiftly to a distress call. Upon arriving at the scene on Orba Road, they found the lifeless body of the young girl, who had been brutally attacked while she slept.
According to the police report, Chukwuemeka had initially attempted to assault other neighbors, who managed to fend him off. He then fled into the apartment of the victim’s family, where he committed the heinous act, slitting the child’s throat with a knife. The child’s mother had run out to secure the safety of her other children but tragically could not save Zinachukwu in time.
Recovered from the suspect were the knife used in the murder, quantities of Indian hemp, and an object suspected to be a charm. Chukwuemeka later confessed to the crime, claiming he was under the influence of methamphetamine (commonly known as “Mkpuru-mmiri”), Indian hemp, and an alcoholic drink called Action Bitters at the time of the murder. He also admitted to being a member of the Vikings Confraternity and disclosed his involvement in a prior cult-related killing in Jos, Plateau State, in 2022.
Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has condemned the act as barbaric and vowed to ensure justice for the young victim. He extended his condolences to the family, emphasizing the importance of being vigilant about the behavior of those in the community to prevent such senseless acts.
The suspect will face prosecution following the conclusion of the ongoing investigation, with the police promising a swift and thorough process to deliver justice.
