The police command in Enugu has detained a couple from Akpugo community in Nkanu West LGA for alleged conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of a 70-year-old woman.

The command’s spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, said this in a statement on Friday in Enugu.

Mr Ndukwe said the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad had detained a couple, Ikechukwu Okoye, 33, and Juliet Ogbodo, 39.

Mr Ndukwe said the suspects were accused of the kidnapping, murder, and burying of their kinswoman, Mary Nwatu, in a shallow grave sometime in September 2024.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim was reported missing on September 15, 2024, after all efforts to locate her proved unsuccessful. On October 5, 2024, Ikechukwu Okoye, identified as the principal suspect and a kinsman of the victim, began contacting her children, demanding a ransom of N6 million.

“Upon his arrest, which followed credible intelligence reports, Okoye confessed to kidnapping Mrs Nwatu on September 14, 2024, around 8:00 a.m. He stated that the children of the aged woman came to look for their mother when he kidnapped, murdered, and buried her in a shallow grave inside an uncompleted building in a neighbouring compound,” Ms Ndukwe said.

The command’s spokesman said Mr Okoye also confessed to demanding a ransom from the victim’s children, initially asking for N6 million, which was later negotiated to N3 million.

Mr Ndukwe said the prime suspect eventually received payment of N20,000, allowing the children to hear their mother’s voice via the phone before further payments.

“On her part, Juliet Ogbodo, who is Okoye’s intimate girlfriend, confessed to being aware of the crime but failed to report it to the police or any other relevant authorities. The victim’s remains have been exhumed and deposited at a mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

“The suspects, along with any other individuals found complicit in this heinous crime, will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” he said.

(NAN)