A 52-year-old man, Ugoegu Nwaji, has been arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for exhuming the skull of his late younger brother and selling it to a native doctor for ritual purposes in Ebonyi State.
The NSCDC State Commandant, Francis Nnadi, who paraded the suspect on Tuesday at the Corps headquarters in Abakaliki, described the act as “gruesome” and a clear indication of the growing desperation for illicit wealth.
Nwaji, a hunter from Onunwakpu Igbeagu community in Izzi Local Government Area, reportedly dug up the remains of his younger brother, Ogor Mmboyi, who died two years ago, and sold the skull to a native doctor, identified as Nwodo Nwenyi, for the sum of N12,000.
According to Commandant Nnadi, the native doctor allegedly intended to use the skull for the performance of Okite, a controversial money ritual practice said to bring sudden wealth to clients.
“Our men recovered the skull at the shrine of Nwenyi, who admitted it was meant for ritual purposes. This act is not only a violation of the law but also a desecration of the dead," he said.
Nnadi confirmed that both suspects are in custody and will face prosecution after the completion of ongoing investigations.
In a separate incident, the NSCDC also paraded three suspects accused of sabotaging a state government infrastructure project by allegedly stealing 68 bags of cement meant for road construction.
The stolen materials were allocated to a two-kilometre concrete road project in Ekerigwe village, Umuezekoha community, Ezza North Local Government Area.
The suspects include the procurement officer of the construction firm, the site’s security officer, and the driver responsible for conveying the cement.
“Only 16 bags out of the 68 reported missing have been recovered. These individuals conspired to divert public resources for personal gain, and they will also be charged to court,” the Commandant stated.
Nnadi assured that the Corps remains committed to protecting public infrastructure and curbing ritual practices, economic sabotage, and other criminal activities across the state.
