The remains of a young automobile engineer, popularly known as Ikemefula, have been discovered in a shallow grave at Otulu in Mgbidi forest, located in Oru-West Local Government Area of Imo State.
The victim, who was recently married, had been declared missing for five months following his abduction in the area.
Reports indicate that Ikemefula was kidnapped in November 2025.
Despite the payment of a ₦7 million ransom to secure his freedom, his captors allegedly killed him.
The tragic discovery was made on Thursday during a coordinated operation by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU), also known as Tiger Base, under the Imo State Police Command.
The mission was led by the Unit Commander, ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, with tactical support from a team headed by Inspector Chika Okebata.
The officers traced the location and recovered the decomposed body from a shallow grave within the forest, approximately five months after the incident.
Police investigations identified the principal suspect as Odidika Okwuegbulem, a suspected notorious kidnapping kingpin from the Mgbidi area.
He was accused of orchestrating the abduction and receiving the ransom payment, which reportedly included ₦7 million and the victim’s Highlander Jeep.
Further findings revealed that the victim died in captivity within seven days of his abduction while being held at a forest hideout operated by the syndicate.
Speaking to newsmen, Odidika confessed to the killing, stating that he targeted the victim because “he was becoming very successful in his automobile business and he was showing off his wealth.”
The suspect also alleged that the crime was commissioned by one ThankGod Ezegbuo, said to be the victim’s former employer.
According to him, Ezegbuo promised ₦1.5 million for the operation but only paid ₦500,000, leaving an outstanding balance of ₦1 million.
Both suspects were later taken to the scene of the crime by Anti-Kidnapping Unit operatives, where the victim’s remains were exhumed. The body has since been deposited at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, for further examination.
