The Rivers State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with the killing of two siblings, Chizaram Onuche and Chidinma Onuche, both seven-year-olds.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the state Police Public Relation Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the arrest of the suspects followed a report transferred from the Special Area Division, which prompted operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit to take swift action.
“On 23rd March 2025, at approximately 9 am, operatives arrested a native doctor and other individuals involved in the heinous crime.
“During the operation, law-enforcement officers recovered key evidence, including a bottle containing the drained blood of the victims,” the statement said.
The suspects arrested are Aniekan Uko (27), who hails from Akwa Ibom State, but resides at 2nd Pipeline, Rukpokwu.
Uko was said to have lured the siblings to his location, drugged them using a drink known as Black Bullet as a sedative, and subsequently slaughtered them, before collecting their blood in a bottle.
Another suspect, Luis Uwelemele (19), from Cross River State, residing at Omuike, Aluu is said to be the girlfriend of the first suspect, Aniekan and is linked to the crime.
The third suspect, identified as Kingsley Opurum (43), a native of Etche, Rivers State, residing at 3rd Pipeline, Eneka, according to the statement, was implicated as the native doctor complicit in the murder of the children
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The fourth suspect, Friday Silas (47) from Plateau State, residing at 2nd Pipeline, Rukpokwu, allowed the first suspect to stay at the uncompleted building where the killings took place.
According to the statement, Aniekan confessed that he became involved in the ritual killing after visiting the native doctor and witnessing him perform similar rituals for others in exchange for wealth.
He alleged that the native doctor instructed him to provide fresh human remains and blood for ritualistic purposes.
The statement further revealed that law-enforcement officials visited the scene of the crime, documented evidence with photographs, and recovered a kitchen knife identified as the murder weapon, a bottle filled with the victims’ blood that was scooped by the principal suspect.
Also recovered, include an empty can of Black Bullet, used to drug the victims before the act, and a spoon, used to collect the victims’ blood.
The deceased victims’ bodies have been deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
“The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju assures the public that justice will be served, and all perpetrators of this heinous crime will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
“Investigations are ongoing to uncover further details and possible accomplices.
“We urge residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station. The safety and security of all citizens remain our top priority,” the statement assured.
