A tragic and deeply disturbing incident has thrown the quiet town of Ibagwa-Aka in Enugu State into mourning after a self-proclaimed pastor allegedly killed four young siblings in what many fear may be a ritual-related attack.
The victims, all children of the same parents—Kamsiyochukwu Ezema (7), Ezinne Ezema (6), Ujunwa Ezema (5), and Chinedu Ezema (2)—were brutally murdered with a pestle inside their family home in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area while their parents were away.
The alleged killer, said to be a spiritualist and pastor of a Sabbath church operating in the area, reportedly carried out the act within a structure used for unapproved herbal and spiritual practices. The motive behind the gruesome murder remains unclear, but the entire community has been thrown into shock and sorrow.
How It Happened
According to community members, the attack took place when the children’s parents, Mr. Chinonso Ezema and Mrs. Loveth Ezema, had gone out, leaving the kids under the care of someone they trusted. However, that trust was betrayed in the most horrific way.
The children were discovered lifeless with severe injuries to their heads, allegedly inflicted using a heavy wooden pestle. The details are so disturbing that many residents have been left too traumatised to speak.
The suspect, who locals identified as a controversial figure within the area due to his unorthodox religious and spiritual practices, was believed to have gained access to the children under the guise of performing a spiritual rite or blessing.
Local Government Reacts
Chairman of Igbo-Eze South Local Government, Mr. Ferdinand Ukwueze, who visited the grieving Ezema family and the crime scene on Saturday, described the incident as “heinous and unacceptable.” Accompanied by men of the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security operatives, Ukwueze assured residents that the council would ensure justice is done.
“Our community has never witnessed this kind of evil,” Ukwueze said. “The murder of four innocent children in cold blood is a tragedy we cannot overlook. We have sealed off the premises where the killings took place. It was being used illegally for herbal practices and questionable spiritual activities.”
The council chairman confirmed that some arrests have already been made in connection with the killing, while others believed to be involved are still at large. He said security agencies have intensified their search and called on residents to cooperate by providing credible information.
“We will leave no stone unturned. Our people must be safe, and anyone who sheds innocent blood must face the full wrath of the law,” he vowed
Police Yet to Speak Officially
Efforts to get a statement from the Enugu State Police Command proved unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. Calls and text messages to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, were unanswered.
However, a police source confirmed that investigations were ongoing and that a major manhunt had been launched to apprehend all those involved.
“We have made some arrests and are closing in on others,” the source revealed. “This is not just murder—it is the kind of crime that can only be described as demonic. We will ensure that justice is not delayed.”
A Nation in Mourning
The death of the four siblings has struck a deep chord not just in Enugu State but across Nigeria, as messages of condolence and outrage flood social media. Human rights organisations and child protection advocates have also joined in demanding thorough investigation and swift prosecution.
“This is a test case for the Nigerian justice system,” said one activist. “We cannot allow the killers of innocent children to escape accountability.”
As the Ezema family prepares for the burial of their children, the entire town of Ibagwa-Aka remains in mourning—grappling with sorrow, fear, and unanswered questions.
What was meant to be a peaceful home turned into a crime scene, and what was meant to be a spiritual guide turned out to be a destroyer of lives.
For now, the residents of Igbo-Eze South can only hope that this horrible event will be the last of its kind—and that from this pain, urgent action will be taken to protect others from a similar fate.
