According to the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, the victim was reported missing on September 15, 2024, after efforts to locate her proved unsuccessful. Investigations revealed that Okoye, a kinsman of the victim, kidnapped her on September 14, 2024, when she visited his home to look for his mother. Tragically, he confessed to murdering Mrs. Nwatu and burying her in a shallow grave inside an uncompleted building on the property.
Okoye later contacted the victim’s children on October 5, 2024, demanding a ransom of six million Naira, which he negotiated down to three million Naira. In a desperate attempt to prove their mother was alive, he accepted a payment of ₦20,000 to allow the children to hear her voice over the phone.
The Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad acted on credible intelligence, leading to the arrest of the suspects. During interrogation, Okoye admitted to the crime, while his girlfriend, Juliet Ogbodo, confessed to being aware of the murder but claimed fear prevented her from reporting it to the authorities.
Police have since exhumed the victim’s remains, which have been deposited in a morgue for preservation and autopsy. Investigations are ongoing, and the suspects, alongside any other accomplices, will be prosecuted in court.
This heinous act underscores the importance of community vigilance and timely reporting of suspicious activities. Authorities have reassured the public of their commitment to ensuring justice is served.
