Three children found d£ad in Anambra native doctor home
Three children found dead in Anambra native doctor home
A woman described by residents as a native doctor, popularly known as “Ezenwanyi,” has been arrested after the bodies of three children were discovered at her residence in Umuoduba Village, Ideani, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The Anambra State Police Command confirmed that four children were found unconscious at the premises on Wednesday. Three were later confirmed dead by doctors, while the fourth is receiving treatment in a critical condition.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.
Residents said the discovery, made in the early hours of Wednesday, threw the community into panic.
One eyewitness said, “Four children were found unconscious in the woman’s residence. While three of them were already lifeless as of the time they were discovered, the fourth, who was still breathing, was immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
“The children, aged between six and 15 years, were not identified, and the circumstances surrounding their deaths remain unknown. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community.
“The woman, who also keeps livestock, including pigs and poultry, was subsequently taken into custody by operatives of the Ogidi Divisional Police Headquarters in collaboration with community leaders. The remains of the deceased children were evacuated to a mortuary.”
Videos circulating on social media showed the Divisional Police Officer of the Ogidi Division, accompanied by community leaders, local security personnel and the President-General of the Ideani community, inspecting the premises after the incident.
The footage showed the woman leading the security team through different sections of the compound, including shrines and residential areas, as residents watched from a distance.
Confirming the incident in a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the command had taken the suspect into custody while the State Criminal Investigation Department would take over the investigation.
“The Anambra State Police Command, today, August 5, expressed profound sadness over the discovery of four unconscious children at a residential premises in Umuoduba Village, Ideani, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“Upon receipt of the information, the rescue team led by police operatives attached to Ogidi Police Station rushed the victims immediately to a hospital for emergency medical attention.
“Regrettably, three of the children were certified dead by medical doctors, while the fourth victim is currently receiving treatment in a critical condition.
“Given the development, the command wishes to confirm that a female suspect is currently in police custody in connection with the incident, while the State Criminal Investigation Department shall take over the case and conduct a thorough, professional, intelligence-driven and evidence-based investigation.
“Meanwhile, police operatives are hopeful that, subject to the survivor’s recovery and medical clearance, the testimony of the surviving child will assist in unravelling the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident and support other necessary investigative actions. The bodies of the deceased have been deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.”
Ikenga extended the command’s condolences to the families of the deceased and sympathised with the Ideani community over the incident.
He urged members of the public to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and allow investigators to conclude their work.
“Further developments will be communicated as the investigation progresses,” the statement added.
