Rivers Police Arrest Suspected Ritualist Over Attempted Murder in Etche
Enet
The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a suspected ritualist in connection with the attempted murder of a woman in Etche Local Government Area.
The suspect, identified as Iheanyi Asobirionwu from Ndashi in Etche, was apprehended by operatives of a local vigilante group known as the Ulakwo Etche Special Squad. He was arrested after allegedly attempting to strangle a woman, identified as Vicky Nweke, in Obite community, where he resides.
According to Kingsley Nwanyanwu, Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC) in Amakumba, the suspect—believed to be working in collaboration with internet fraudsters, commonly referred to as "Yahoo boys"—reportedly attacked Nweke and choked her until she lost consciousness. Believing she was dead, he left the scene to retrieve a machete, presumably to mutilate her body.
However, the victim regained consciousness and managed to escape. She subsequently alerted residents and members of the local security outfit, who responded promptly and apprehended the suspect.
Asobirionwu has since been handed over to the Okehi Police Division for further investigation. Nwanyanwu has called on security agencies, including the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, to ensure a thorough investigation and to bring all those involved to justice.
“The suspect confessed that he was sent by others. We are urging the authorities to conduct a proper interrogation to uncover the identities of his collaborators,” Nwanyanwu stated.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the arrest and noted that a full investigation is currently underway.
