Enugu Police Arrest Two Over Kidnap and Murder of Five-Year-Old Boy

The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two suspects in connection with the alleged abduction and killing of a five-year-old boy, identified as Wisdom Obodoagu.

Police spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that the suspects, Obodoagu Ikediekpere Wisdom, 18, and Sunday Michael, 24, a security guard, were arrested on August 11 and 12, 2025, after intelligence was gathered following ransom demands made to the child’s family.

According to Ndukwe, the prime suspect—who is the victim’s second cousin—masterminded the crime and used his accomplice to demand N1,000,000 from the child’s father. “The child was first reported missing on July 26, 2025. Investigations revealed that the prime suspect used his accomplice to demand N1,000,000 ransom from the victim’s father, in an attempt to disguise his identity,” Ndukwe said.

He added that when the ransom went unmet, the suspect killed the child and buried him in a bush close to their residence in Okinitor, Amankwo Ngwo, Udi Local Government Area. “When the ransom went unmet, the suspect murdered the child and buried him in a bush near their residence in Okinitor, Amankwo Ngwo, Udi LGA. During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime,” Ndukwe explained.

Ndukwe further revealed that the prime suspect took operatives to the location where the victim’s remains were exhumed in the presence of medical personnel. “The prime suspect thereafter led operatives to the scene, where the victim’s body was exhumed in the presence of medical personnel, including a doctor, who certified the child dead,” he stated.

The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has extended condolences to the grieving family and assured that the suspects would be arraigned in court once investigations are completed.