Police in Enugu State have arrested a man for the murder of his neighbor’s four-year-old daughter.

The tragic incident took place on August 18, 2024, in Nsukka Local Government Area.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the Enugu State Command received a distress call around 10:30 PM on the night of the incident.

The call reported the murder of a four-year-old girl, prompting police officers from the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad to rush to a compound at Orba Road in Nsukka.

The police arrested 30-year-old Nweke Chukwuemeka, who was accused of brutally murdering the little girl, Zinachukwu Ugwu, while she was sleeping.

The lifeless body of the child was taken to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead and later deposited in the mortuary.

Police recovered a knife used in the crime, along with quantities of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and an object suspected to be a charm.

DSP Ndukwe revealed that Chukwuemeka, originally from Umuagu-Ozalla in Nkanu West Local Government Area, lived in the same compound as the child’s parents.

“He initially attempted to attack other neighbours who resisted him and escaped before going into the victim’s apartment, where he saw the helpless child sleeping, and used the knife to cut through her throat,” Ndukwe explained.

The suspect confessed to the crime, claiming he acted alone but was under the influence of Indian hemp, methamphetamine (locally known as “Mkpuru-mmiri”), and an alcoholic drink called Action Bitters.

He also admitted to being a member of the Vikings Confraternity and confessed to a previous murder during a cult clash in 2022 in Jos, Plateau State.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, condemned the crime as “barbaric and unthinkable.” He expressed condolences to the victim’s family and assured them that “everything possible would be done to secure justice for the innocent child.” He directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State CID to ensure a swift conclusion of the investigation and prosecution of the suspect.

CP Uzuegbu also urged citizens to be aware of their neighbors’ behavior to prevent such senseless incidents in the future.