Four suspected ritualists in police net for killing Rivers' underage sisters

A native doctor, teenage girl and two others are currently in Police custody over their alleged involvement in the murder of two siblings in Rivers State.

The victims were drugged and slaughtered at the Ogbodo Pipeline area of Rukpokwu in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the State.

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the incident to newsmen in Port Harcourt, the state capital, described the incident as horrific.

Iringe-Koko explained that the prime suspect, a 27-year-old Aniekan Uko, lured the children to a location where he drugged them and subsequently slaughtered the duo before draining their blood.

The command image maker added that operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit swiftly arrested the prime suspect and his accomplices on March 23, 2025.

According to him, the suspect upon interrogation, confessed to the crime, saying he became involved in the ritual killing after visiting the native doctor and witnessing him perform similar rituals for others in exchange for wealth.

She further stated that the prime suspect revealed that the native doctor instructed him to provide fresh human remains and blood for ritualistic purposes.

“The Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform the public of the arrest of suspects involved in a horrific case of ritual killing of two children, Chizaram Onuche and Chidinma Onuche, both seven-year-olds.

“This follows a report transferred from the Special Area Division, prompting operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to take swift action.

“On March 23, 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.”

“Aniekan Sunday Uko (Male, 27 years), a native of Akwa Ibom, residing at 2nd Pipeline, Rukpokwu. He lured victims to his location, drugged them using a drink known as Black Bullet as a sedative, and subsequently slaughtered them, collecting their blood in a bottle.

“Luis John Uwelemele, (female, 19), a native of Cross River State, residing at Omuike, Aluu. She is the girlfriend of the first suspect. Aniekan is linked to the crime.

“Kingsley Opurum (Male, 43): A native of Etche, Rivers State, residing at 3rd Pipeline, Eneka. He has been implicated as the native doctor complicit in the murder of the deceased.

“Friday Silas (Male, 47), a native of Plateau State, residing at 2nd Pipeline, Rukpokwu. The first suspect claimed that he allowed him to stay at the uncompleted building where the killings took place.”

“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. The native doctor instructed him to provide fresh human remains and blood for ritualistic purposes.

“Law enforcement officials visited the scene of the crime, documented evidence with photographs, and recovered additional exhibits.”

The items retrieved by the police according to the statement were, ‘a kitchen knife identified as the murder weapon, a bottle filled with the victims’ blood, scooped by the suspect, 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 the 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.”