Three children have been confirmed dead after they were discovered unconscious inside the residence of a female native doctor, popularly known as “Ezenwanyi,” in Umuoduba Village, Ideani, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
According to The Punch, a fourth child was rescued alive and taken to hospital, where police said the victim remains in critical condition.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, has left residents of the community in shock as authorities work to determine what led to the tragedy.
According to residents, the four children, believed to be between six and 15 years old, were found unconscious within the suspect’s residential compound.
Three were pronounced dead, while the surviving child was rushed to a nearby hospital before emergency responders arrived.
The identities of the victims and the circumstances surrounding their presence at the premises had yet to be established as of the time this report was filed.
A resident, who spoke anonymously, said the suspect, who reportedly keeps pigs and poultry birds within the compound, was later arrested by operatives of the Ogidi Divisional Police Headquarters with the support of 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.
Videos 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 premises shortly after the incident.
The footage also captured the suspect leading security operatives through different sections of the compound, including shrines and residential buildings, as residents watched from a distance.
Confirming the incident, the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said officers attached to the Ogidi Division swiftly responded after receiving a distress call.
He said the victims were immediately taken to a hospital, where doctors confirmed three of them dead, while the fourth child remains on admission in critical condition.
Ikenga added that the suspect is currently in police custody, while the State Criminal Investigation Department has assumed responsibility for a full investigation.
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 believe the surviving child’s account, once medically fit to speak, could provide vital clues to unravel the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
He added that the remains of the deceased children 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 assured the public that further updates would be released as the investigation progresses.
