Imo State Police Command have confirmed the arrest of Mr Francis Chukwura, a dismissed employee of the Federal Medical Cemtre (FMC), Owerri, who attempted to kill his neighbour”s son for alleged r!tual purpose.
The Imo State Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) CSP Mike Abattam, confirmed the arrest in a press statement issued to newsmen on Thursday in Owerri.
He said the victim, Henry Ekwos, 14, was lured by the suspect into his room and attempted to kill him after digging a shallow grave in his room before he was rescued.
“The incident occurred in Ubommiri in Mbaitoli local government area of Imo State, on the 06/01/2022 where one Francis Chukwura lured his neighbours son, Henry Ekwos, into his room to help install WhatsApp application for him in his phone.
“The unsuspecting boy innocently entered with him into his room where the suspect has already dug a grave-size pit.
“The boy, on seeing the grave-size pit in the room became suspicious and turned to run out, when the suspect picked up a machete and gave him several cuts on his head and body,” he said.
Abattam said the victim did not stop running and screaming for help, luckily, passers-by who heard his scream immediately alerted the police patrol team within the area who then arrested the suspect.
The PPRO added that the victim was immediately rushed to a nearby government hospital for urgent medical attention while the apprehended suspect was taken to the station.
He said the suspect didn’t render a reasonable reason why he attempted to k!ll the victim but as for the grave-size pit he dug in his room, he said the wife was aware and it was done to hurt his landlord for giving him quit notice.
Consequent upon the suspect’s claim, the wife, Ezinne Anyanwu, said the landlord did not give them quit notice, but they are owing rent for some months.
She further stated that, on January 5, she queried him about the pit and his response was, “he is looking for the dollars he buried in the ground”.
