Tragedy struck Ofeh community in Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State on Thursday evening when a man identified as Nwalozie Chiwendu allegedly killed his elder brother, Chidiebere Isaiah, after accusing him of blocking his success through witchcraft.
The incident, which occurred around 4pm, has thrown the quiet community into shock and mourning. Residents said the two brothers were from the same compound.
According to information gathered, the suspect allegedly attacked his elder brother with a cutlass during a heated argument. He was said to have accused the deceased of being responsible for his personal struggles and lack of progress in life.
Photos circulating on social media showed the victim with multiple machete cuts on different parts of his body. Witnesses said he fell to the ground in a pool of blood before help could reach him.
It was gathered that after realising the gravity of what he had done, the suspect fled the scene before bystanders could apprehend him.
The Youth President of Ofeh community, Chinonso Chima, confirmed the incident on Friday, describing it as painful and unfortunate.
Chima said he received a distress call from members of the community shortly after the attack.
“Yesterday evening, I got a call from people in my community about a sad incident involving two brothers from the same compound,” he said.
“The story is that the younger one, carrying a cutlass, butchered his elder brother. Before people could intervene, he ran after committing the act.”
Chima explained that he immediately instructed residents to rush the injured man to the hospital while he made his way from town to the community to see how to handle the situation.
“So, when I was called, I told them to rush the victim to the hospital while I hurried down from town to see how we could attend to the matter. On the way to the hospital, the victim died,” he added.
The youth leader said the matter was reported to the police division in the area, and officers had taken note of the development.
He also confirmed that the remains of the deceased were later deposited in the mortuary with police permission.
Chima said community leaders have been appealing to residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
“The suspect is still on the run, and the community is searching for him to face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
Residents described the deceased as a quiet man and said the incident has left many in fear and disbelief.
The spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing.
She stated that information available to the police indicated that the suspect used a cutlass to kill his elder brother after accusing him of witchcraft that allegedly prevented his success.
“The victim’s corpse has been deposited in the mortuary. Investigation is ongoing, and a manhunt has been launched to apprehend the suspect and ensure he faces the law,” she said.
The incident has once again brought attention to the issue of witchcraft accusations in some communities across Nigeria.
In many parts of the country, belief in witchcraft remains strong, especially in rural areas. Such beliefs sometimes lead to violence, family disputes, and even killings.
Community leaders and religious groups have often called for education and awareness to discourage people from blaming others for their personal challenges.
Rivers State, located in the South-South region of Nigeria, is one of the country’s oil-producing states. While it has many urban areas, several rural communities still hold traditional beliefs that can influence how disputes are handled.
In recent years, there have been cases across different states where individuals were attacked or killed over accusations of witchcraft. Human rights groups have repeatedly condemned such acts and urged authorities to prosecute offenders.
In Ofeh community, residents are still trying to come to terms with what happened. Some community members said the brothers had disagreements in the past, though it was not clear if those disagreements were related to the accusation.
Others said the suspect had recently been expressing frustration about his life and blaming unseen forces for his problems.
As the police continue their search for the suspect, community leaders say they are working to maintain peace and prevent any form of retaliation.
They have also called on residents to provide useful information to security agencies to help in the arrest of the fleeing suspect.
For now, the focus remains on bringing the suspect to justice and supporting the family of the deceased during this difficult time.
The killing has left many in Ofeh community saddened, especially because it involved two brothers from the same household.
As investigations continue, the police have assured the public that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring that the suspect is arrested and made to face the law.
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