Tragedy has struck in Abia State, where a man, Ibekwe Augustine James, described as suffering from mental health issues, has allegedly murdered his sister, Chinonso Nwabali James, and her twin babies.
The horrific incident occurred on the night of Tuesday, 18th February 2025, at Umuokogbuo, Ndagbo Community, Afara, in the Umuahia North Local Government Area.
A family member is said to have witnessed Ibekwe dragging his sister’s lifeless body, prompting an immediate alarm. The suspect fled the scene, leaving the body behind, as locals rushed to investigate.
“This morning, the youths alongside some men of the Nigeria Police went into the bush in search of him as he ran away from his compound immediately the youths saw him dump his late sister’s body. And up till now, the young man has not been found,” a local source explained.
During the search for the suspect and the missing twins, the youngsters made a grim discovery: the children’s dismembered remains, buried in separate shallow graves.
DSP Maureen Chinaka, the State Police Command spokesperson, confirmed the incident on Wednesday. The matter was reported at Umuahia Central Police Station by a family member, who recounted witnessing his cousin, believed to be mentally unwell, dragging the body of Chinomso Nwabali James. The alarm raised caused the suspect to abandon the body and run off.
Officers visited the scene, and the woman’s body was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, where she was pronounced dead by a doctor.
“While searching for the suspect and the missing twins at 2 am, the dismembered bodies of the children were found in different shallow graves within the community,” DSP Chinaka stated.
The bodies of all three victims have been taken to the mortuary at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, for post-mortem examination. Police are continuing their efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
