Three children have been found dead at the residence of a female native doctor, popularly known as “Ezenwanyi”, in Umuoduba Village, Ideani, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, while a fourth child is battling for survival after being rescued unconscious. According to a report by Punch, the incident……
Three children have been found dead at the residence of a female native doctor, popularly known as “Ezenwanyi”, in Umuoduba Village, Ideani, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, while a fourth child is battling for survival after being rescued unconscious.
According to a report by Punch, the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday and has left residents of the community in shock, with the circumstances surrounding the deaths yet to be established.
The surviving child was rushed to a hospital, where police said the child remained in critical condition.
Residents said the four children, believed to be between the ages of six and 15, were discovered unconscious inside the woman’s residential compound. Three were confirmed dead, while the fourth, who was still breathing, was taken to hospital before emergency responders arrived.
The identities of the children and how they ended up on the premises had yet to be established at the time of filing this report.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the suspect, who keeps livestock, including pigs and poultry, within the compound, was later taken into custody by operatives of the Ogidi Divisional Police Headquarters, in collaboration with community leaders.
“The four children were found unconscious in the woman’s compound. Three were already lifeless when they were discovered, while the fourth child was still breathing and was rushed to the hospital. The incident has left everyone in the community in shock,” the resident said.
Some graphic videos seen by TVC News circulating on social media showed the Divisional Police Officer of the Ogidi Division, accompanied by community leaders, local security personnel and the President-General of Ideani Community, inspecting the compound shortly after the incident.
The footage also showed the suspect leading security operatives through different sections of the premises, including shrines and residential areas, as residents watched from a distance.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said officers attached to the Ogidi Division responded immediately after receiving a distress report.
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He said the victims were taken to a hospital, where doctors confirmed three of the children dead, while the fourth remains on admission in critical condition.
Ikenga added that the suspect is in police custody and that the State Criminal Investigation Department has taken over the case.
He said, “The Anambra State Police Command expresses profound sadness over the discovery of four unconscious children at a residential premises in Umuoduba Village, Ideani, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“Upon receipt of the information, the rescue team led by police operatives attached to Ogidi Police Station rushed the victims immediately to a hospital for emergency medical attention.
“Regrettably, three of the children were certified dead by medical doctors, while the fourth victim is currently receiving treatment in a critical condition.
“A female suspect is currently in police custody in connection with the incident, while the State Criminal Investigation Department shall take over the case and conduct a thorough, professional, intelligence-driven and evidence-based investigation.”
The police spokesperson said investigators hope the surviving child’s account, once medically fit, will assist in establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He added that the bodies of the deceased have been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
Ikenga also extended the command’s condolences to the bereaved families and the Ideani community, urging residents to remain calm, refrain from spreading unverified information and allow investigators to complete their work. He said further updates would be provided as investigations progress.
