The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 24-year-old woman, Somtochukwu Nwafor, for the gruesome murder and dismemberment of a pregnant nurse in Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government Area of the state.

The arrest, made on July 25, 2025, was facilitated by members of the Umueri village in the Ogbunike community after the victim’s mutilated remains were found dumped in a soakaway pit days earlier, sparking public outrage and fear.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga in a statement shared on Facebook on Wednesday, the suspect confessed to being the girlfriend of the prime suspect, one Chiemerie Elobisi, who is currently on the run.

She also admitted to being called in after the crime to clean up the blood and further revealed that the body parts were sold to native doctors involved in ritual practices.

The statement said, “The Anambra State Police Command leveraging on the assistance of the Umueri village, Ogbunike community members on 25th July 2025 arrested one female suspect, Somtochukwu Nwafor aged 24 years. The arrest is in connection with the gruesome murder of a pregnant nurse, whose mutilated body was recently discovered in a soakaway pit at Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.

“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being the girlfriend of the prime suspect Chiemerie Obika Elobisi from the same village, but currently at large. She stated that she was called by the suspect to clean the blood stains after the victim was murdered. She further revealed how they sell the body parts to different evil native doctors in the area.

“Also, preliminary information shows that the victim, a trained nurse, was lured by the murderer to his house under the guise of seeking medication.

“Given the information from the suspect, Operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in the early hours of 29th July 2025, burst a shrine of an identified native doctor, Nwafor Chibunna Ofornwatadile from Itima Amawa Village, Ogbunike and recovered suspected human body parts, concealed in cellophane (nylon) bags.

“However, the Command has launched a manhunt for the prime suspect, along with the suspected receivers and collaborators.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, described the act as inhumane, criminal, and an affront to public morality and the sanctity of life,” assuring the public that a full investigation is ongoing. A manhunt has been launched for Elobisi and other accomplices involved in the killing and trafficking of human parts.

The CP urged anyone with useful information to come forward, assuring that informants’ identities would be fully protected.

Six die, seven children rescued in Jigawa canoe crash

A tragedy struck in Jigawa State when a canoe capsized, claiming six lives, with two children still missing, leaving authorities to investigate and grieving families to mourn.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Jigawa State Command, SP Shi’isu Adam, in a statement, said the incident occurred on Sunday, at about 8:15 pm, when 15 children were returning from a farm at Jejin Gunka to their village, Zangwan Maje, in Taura Local Government Area. The canoe, he said, capsized due to flooding, strong wind and overloading.

According to Adam, swift response from the police and local divers led to the rescue of seven children, who are currently safe, adding that “the rescued children are: Rukayya Abdullahi, 9; Ibrahim Garba, 12; Fatima Yusuf, 10; Suwaiba Yahaya, 20; Rukayya Saleh, 18; Jawahira Samaila, 10; and Sakina Sule, 11.”

The PPRO noted that, unfortunately, six bodies had been recovered so far.

He mentioned further that the recovered bodies include Hare Abdullahi, 12; Halima Ma’azu, 12; Nasiba Yahya, 15; Saima Yusuf, 25; Amina Sule, 11; and Saiya Abdullahi, 18. All were certified dead by a medical doctor on call, adding that “the police are working tirelessly to recover the two missing children.”

“Rescue efforts continue, with the police and local divers working around the clock to locate the missing children,” he said.

Adam explained further that a preliminary investigation revealed that the canoe’s driver fled after the incident. “Efforts are underway to locate, apprehend, and prosecute him in court,” he added.