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The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a suspect, Friday Akonobi, in connection with the abduction and ritual killing of a six-year-old girl in a case allegedly linked to an Enugu-based native doctor, Obieze Ezeani.
According to reports, Ezeani, popularly known as “Edey Play” or “Edey Show,” was apprehended by operatives of the Nigerian Immigration Service while attempting to flee the country through a land border. His arrest followed the discovery of bodies buried in soakaway pits within his compound at Umumba Ndiagu, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday, January 18, 2026, that the victim, identified as Ozioma Nwankwo, was abducted from Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on May 10, 2025, and later taken to Enugu State.
SP Ikenga revealed that Akonobi confessed during interrogation to committing the crime alongside four other accomplices who are currently on the run. The suspect reportedly told investigators that they worked as agents for the alleged native doctor, who paid them the sum of one million naira (N1,000,000) each to deliver a virgin girl to him.
He further confessed that the six-year-old victim was killed and used for ritual purposes.
“The Anambra State Police Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, acting on credible information in the early hours of January 17, 2026, arrested one Friday Akonobi, male, aged 28 years,” the statement read.
“The arrest is in connection with the abduction and murder of a six-year-old girl in a case linked to an Enugu-based alleged native doctor, Obieze Ezeani, also known as ‘Edey Play’ or ‘Edey Show.’
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was involved in the abduction of the late Miss Ozioma Nwankwo, who was kidnapped on May 10, 2025, from Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to committing the crime in collaboration with four other accomplices now at large. He stated that the victim was taken to Enugu to Obieze Ezeani and that the group received N1,000,000 each for delivering any virgin girl to him. He further stated that the victim was murdered and used for rituals.
“The suspect also disclosed that the said native doctor has since been arrested by operatives of the Enugu State Police Command, a development that has generated widespread public attention following the circulation of related videos on social media.”
The Anambra State Police Command assured members of the public that efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining suspects and ensure that all those involved are brought to justice, adding that further updates will be communicated.
