Police in Enugu have confirmed the arrest of a young man, Somadina Orji, accused of murdering his mother, Charity Orji, and his sister, Ukamaka Orji, and burying them in a shallow grave in their own backyard.
The suspect, who hails from Igbariam in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, is believed to have perpetrated the crime on Monday, December 4 at Umuagu Inyi in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu state.
The late Charity, a native of Inyi but married in Igbariam had been living in her family residence with her children for some years, according to community sources.
Unfortunately, her son, who supposedly deals in strong narcotics and has been feuding with her for some time, murdered her. It was also understood that the younger sister had been missing for two weeks before the death of woman.
A community leader in Inyi, Ben Obi told journalists that the issues leading to the murder began weeks ago when the suspect had a disagreement with his younger brother.
He went on to say that the suspect had planned to beat him (the younger brother) before his mother intervened and reported the matter to the kingsmen, requesting them to come and chase him out of the house since he wanted to kill the younger brother.
However, the village leader went on to explain that the mother went to Akpugoeze for a condolence visit, and when she returned in the afternoon, her son, Somadina, murdered her and buried her in a shallow grave in their garden.
He said that when the younger brother returned to look for the mother, he became suspicious and raised an alarm.
“When the villagers gathered at the compound upon interrogation, Somadina confessed that he had killed the mother. He also admitted to killing his younger sister a few weeks ago.
Obi further stated that when the police were summoned, the mother and sister’s bones were exhumed and put at the mortuary, and the suspect was apprehended.
The coordinating president general in Oji River, Ejike Tasie, also condemned the act, saying the usage of hard drugs in the Inyi community is concerning, urging the anti-drug agency in the area to assist them in controlling the use of these substances in their various communities in the local government.
The Spokesman of the state Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe, while confirming the incident, revealed that the suspect had been apprehended and that the investigation was still ongoing.
Ndukwe stated that he will be arraigned in court as soon as the investigation was completed.
