Ughelli residents panic over spate of ritual killings, rape

Residents of Ughelli, Ughelli North local council of Delta State and environs now live in fear following the serial killing of three persons, who were murdered in mysterious circumstances, while another victim who was seriously battered is now battling for his life at an undisclosed hospital.

According to eyewitnesses’ accounts, the three persons were killed in similar circumstances. On Tuesday, June 21, a young salesgirl was murdered right inside the store where she sells building materials at the small town of Afiesere with a hammer blow on her head after she was raped.

She had led the assailants, who posed as buyers inside the shop only for them to immediately lock the door before carrying out the evil act.

Also, at Ekiugbo-Ughelli, two sales girls were gruesomely murdered recently after being raped while the victim at Ekredjebor road, Ughelli who was savagely attacked is presently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

There seems to be no reassurance from security agencies, as no one is yet to be arrested in connection with the strange killings.

Speaking with The Guardian on telephone, the Delta State Police spokesperson, Celestina Kalu, a Superintendent of Police, said that he was in a meeting and promised to call back on police efforts in arresting the new development. His response was still expected as at press time yesterday.

In a related development, a 33-year-old woman, Mrs. Akhere Emujede, was raped and murdered after a church service. The sad incident occurred at Ubiaja town, headquarters of Esan South East local council of Edo State. Her dead body was later dumped in the church. The death of Akhere has brought cases of suspected ritual killings in Ubiaja to seven in just six days.

According to eyewitnesses, the deceased’s throat was slit, while vital organs in her body were removed. A human head was reportedly dumped in front of a principal’s office last week, while another dead body was found within the same school environment.

The principal of the school, Patrick Odensenye, said he was dumbfounded when they discovered the human head in front of his office.