A wave of mourning has swept through communities in Enugu State after three women were brutally killed with machetes over the weekend. The incidents occurred in two communities within Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, claiming the lives of two mothers and a daughter.
First Incident in Ukehe Community
The first attack happened around 3:10 p.m. on Saturday at Nkporogwu in Ukehe community. Anikwe Onyebuchi, aged 40, allegedly used a cutlass to behead his 60-year-old mother, Anikwe Felicia. Sources indicate the young man demanded food from his mother, and when she could not provide it, he picked up a cutlass and killed her. A viral video on social media showed the lifeless body of the woman lying in a pool of blood, with angry natives lamenting the tragedy. The mob was seen beating the suspect with dangerous objects.
Second Incident in Agu-Ekwegbe Community
In a separate attack at Agu-Ekwegbe community, also in Igbo-Etiti, Joshua Eze reportedly used a cutlass to sever the heads of his sister Nwabuche Eze and her young daughter, Favour Eze. The motive for this killing remains unclear.
Police Response and Confirmation
The Enugu State Police Command confirmed both incidents. Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, stated that the corpse of Anikwe Felicia, including her severed head, had been recovered and taken to the mortuary for autopsy. In the second case, Nwabuche and Favour Eze were killed and buried in a shallow grave alongside a dead white cock, suggesting possible ritual motives.
Ndukwe added that police intervention saved one suspect from an angry mob. Anikwe Onyebuchi was rescued, rearrested, and taken to the hospital for medical treatment after being severely beaten. However, the second suspect, Joshua Eze, died at the hospital after being rescued from the mob. His corpse was also deposited in the mortuary.
Investigation and Condemnation
Ndukwe said a full-scale investigation has commenced. The Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, condemned the barbaric acts and ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State CID to conduct comprehensive investigations into both incidents. He urged members of the public to refrain from jungle justice and to report criminal suspects to the police or lawful authorities.
