by Zara Mustapha

A 35-year-old man Boniface Ohakwe has been arrested and held in police custody over the alleged murder of his 12-year-old niece, Kelechi Ohakwe with the intention of using her for rituals.

According to reports, the victim ,Kelechi was a student of Sir Enoch Anyanwu Memorial Convent, Umuariam, Obowo local council area of Imo State.

The ugly incident was confirmed by the father of the deceased Kelechi, Alex Ohakwe  at their residence  Umuosochie, Obowo,  he said he lacked words to amply describe what the entire family was passing through.

Vanguard reports:

“I am aware that Kelechi was very fond of her uncle and was ever ready to run errands for him before this incident. It is baffling that it was the same man my daughter loved and helped that ended up killing her for supposed ritual purposes”, the aggrieved man lamented.

Recalling what happened on the ill-fated day, Mr. Ohakwe said: “My children moved into my brother’s room as soon as public power supply was restored. I was told that he started smoking midway into the film he was rolling for the children”.

Continuing, Ohakwe recalled that not being comfortable with the smoke, my son and daughter left the room, while Kelechi who was used to her uncle’s behaviour remained behind.

“My brother then locked his door after the two children left his room. The wailing and shouting for help, attracted the attention of my wife and other members of the family and they rushed to the scene”, Ohakwe recounted with grief.

Continuing, Ohakwe said his brother carefully wrapped the slain Kelechi with his bed sheet and started chasing his wife with a cutlass but was overpowered.

Answering another question, Ohakwe said the matter was not only reported to the police but that the assailant was equally handed over to law enforcement agents.

Efforts to get police confirmation of the incident ailed as the Police Public Elations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, did not pick the calls put across to him or returned any, as at the time of going to press.