There was widespread panic in Umuojor, Umumba Ndiagu community in Ezeagu Local Council of Enugu State, following the discovery of two decomposing bodies in the soakaway pit of a native doctor identified as Levi Obieze, popularly known as Ezeani or ‘E de play, e de show’.

The grim discovery was linked to the kidnapping of a young girl on Monday while she was accompanying her father to the farm.

The Guardian learnt that the abduction occurred after two men on a motorcycle deceived the girl’s father. “She was walking with her father to the farm on Monday when two men riding on a motorcycle stopped and pretended that their motorcycle had developed faults,” a source explained.

“One of the men told the father of the little girl to please help them with his cutlass to use and fix the fault in the motorcycle, which the man obliged. They said the fault would require pushing the bike and begged him to help. It was in this process that one of the men grabbed the girl and jumped onto the motorcycle, and they zoomed off,” the source added.

An alarm raised by the father prompted the local vigilante group to launch a search operation. Later that evening, villagers reported hearing loud cries from a bush near Obieze’s compound. The search party, acting on the lead, approached the premises, where Obieze reportedly tried to prevent their entry.

However, the vigilante team overpowered him, searched the compound, and successfully rescued the abducted girl. A deeper search revealed two decomposing corpses of pregnant women in separate soakaway pits on the property, sparking an uproar in the community.

A video of the incident, obtained by The Guardian, showed community members dragging Obieze naked on the ground. Reports indicate that Obieze, known for his ostentatious displays of wealth and frequent money spraying at public events, is now on the run along with his four wives.

Reacting to the incident, a native of the community, Nnamdi Onyia, called on Governor Peter Mbah to address insecurity by scrutinising the activities of native doctors. “I will be glad to see his administration taking action regarding the activities of most of these self-acclaimed native doctors that are operating within the state without approval. Proper investigation has to be conducted to verify their source of power and enormous income,” Onyia stated.

In response, key government officials, including Vita Ndu, the Chairman of Ezeagu Local Council; Chima Obieze, the member representing Ezeagu Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly; and Rufus Giwa, the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, visited the crime scene.

Ndu ordered the immediate demolition of the building belonging to the native doctor. Meanwhile, two individuals allegedly working with Obieze were arrested by the vigilante group and are now in police custody.

the guardian