After Being Buried Alive by a Herbalist for Fortification, a 26-year-old Man Passes Away in Enugu

In the Government Area of Enugu State, a tragic incident occurred involving a young man named Chikwado Eze, who reportedly lost his life during a failed fortification ritual conducted by a local healer. Reports indicate that Chikwado had recently obtained a visa for overseas travel and returned to his village to inform his father, Mr. Uwakwe Eze, of the good news. However, Mr. Eze insisted on performing a fortification ritual to ensure his son's success abroad and took him to a local healer named Onuwa. The healer allegedly stated that for proper fortification, Chikwado needed to be buried alive for a duration of one hour and thirty minutes. Regrettably, when Chikwado was exhumed after the designated time, he was discovered to be deceased. This incident highlights the potential dangers associated with harmful traditional practices and underscores the necessity of prioritizing safety and well-being over cultural or superstitious beliefs. In response to this unfortunate event, the Enugu State police have confirmed the incident and reported the arrest of both the deceased's father and the native doctor. The Enugu State Police Command has urged the public to remain vigilant regarding this recent occurrence and the handling of two separate murder investigations. A statement released on Wednesday by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, indicated that a native doctor, identified as Enuwa Odugu, aged 48, and Uwakwe Eze, aged 67, were apprehended for conspiracy and the murder of Chikwado Celestine Eze, who was 26 years old. The statement elaborated that the incident transpired when Uwakwe Eze brought his son to the native doctor’s shrine for rituals aimed at fortifying him with charms. Unfortunately, during the ritual, Chikwado was placed in a coffin and tragically died in the process. He was subsequently transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead by medical personnel, and his body was placed in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy. The native doctor has reportedly confessed to the crime and acknowledged his involvement in similar rituals in the past, attributing the victim's death to Chikwado's failure to adhere to specific ritualistic guidelines he had previously outlined. The investigation is currently ongoing, and the suspects will be brought before the court following the completion of the inquiries, stated Ndukwe.