Tragedy struck the Umuediabali community in Ahiazu Mbaise, Imo State, as a 55-year-old widow, Eucharia Chidi Obasi, was brutally murdered by a suspected ritualist who severed parts of her body in a gruesome attack that has sent shockwaves throughout the area. Known locally as “Nwanyi Sari Sari,” Obasi was killed in her apartment by an intruder who allegedly believed human body parts could be used for ritualistic gain.
Sources reveal that the incident unfolded around midnight on Wednesday. The attacker, believed to be a local church operator, allegedly broke into Obasi’s home while she was alone, abducted her, and then took her life, mutilating her body. Her brutalized remains were discovered shortly after.
The horror intensified when the assailant reportedly attempted a second murder in a neighboring apartment. However, his actions were interrupted when the intended victim raised an alarm, summoning the attention of neighbors who came to her aid. An enraged mob apprehended the man, overpowered him, and ultimately took justice into their own hands, fatally beating the attacker before security forces could be notified.
A resident who witnessed the aftermath described the scene to reporters. “He cut off her private organs, her breast, and other parts of her body,” the source said, recounting how the suspect had attempted to flee after his initial act. “When he tried to enter another home, luck ran out for him as neighbors caught him.”
This shocking crime has sparked conversations across Nigeria about the prevalence of ritualistic beliefs and practices, often tied to misguided attempts at wealth and power. The Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW), a group dedicated to dispelling harmful superstitions, has condemned the incident and reiterated that ritual killings have no basis in reality. In a statement, AfAW Executive Director Leo Igwe described Obasi’s murder as a “tragic outcome of baseless beliefs in ritual sacrifice.”
“Ritual money or wealth is a form of superstition without any foundation in science or reason,” Igwe asserted, calling for an end to harmful practices fueled by these misconceptions. “There is no evidence that ritual killings or the use of human body parts for sacrifice yield any tangible result. Nigerians must reject these superstitions and embrace critical thinking.”
Efforts to obtain a statement from the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, were unsuccessful as calls and messages went unanswered at the time of reporting.
Ahiazu Mbaise, home to 14 towns including Ihitte Afor and Opara-Nadim, is a tight-knit community now shaken by the appalling crime. Community members and local leaders are demanding greater security and stronger action to address ritual-based crimes in the region, hoping to prevent further tragedies.
