The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has arrested Obi Levi Obieze, a herbalist, over alleged involvement in abduction, kidnapping, and ritual killings.
Obieze, popularly known as Levi Obu Onyeka, also known as “Ezeani” and “E-Dey-Play-E-Dey-Show,” self-acclaimed traditional herbalist from Umuojor village, Ishiagu in Umumba-Ndiagu town of Ezeagu LGA, Enugu state.
Several videos and photgraphs showing gory images of corpses dumped in a sewage pit in an uncompleted building allegedly owned by the suspected ritualist began trending on the social media as from Tuesday evening.
Members of the vigilante and public security operatives were said to have been led to the sewage in the uncompleted building by irate youths in the community.
The said building is allegedly owned and used by Obieze as his shrine.
The vigilantes were on the lookout for a 13-year-old girl who was abducted in the community on Tuesday.
The said building and adjourning ones allegedly owned by Mr. Obu have since been demolished on the orders of the Enugu State government, while vehicles said to be owned by the native doctor were burnt by the irate youths.
Corroborating the new development in a statement by Daniel Ndukwe, the Enugu Police Public Relations Officer, on Wednesday, stated that the herbalist fled the community after the vigilantes and security operatives busted his dastardly act.
“The operation also led to the arrest of three male suspects connected to the crime, namely: Uche Kingsley Agumba, aged 33; Ilo Nweze Onyedikachi, aged 36; and Ejike Odinwankpa, aged 38,” Ndukwe had stated.
“The prime suspect, identified as High Chief Levi Onyeka Obu nicknamed “Ezeani” and “E-Dey-Play-E-Dey-Show,” a native doctor and prominent member of the community, had fled the scene and is currently at large.
“During the rescue, two decomposing bodies, one male and one female, were discovered buried in a concrete-sealed pit within an uncompleted building, owned and used as a shrine, and heinous criminal activities by the fleeing prime suspect.
“Investigations reveal that the deceased victims were recently murdered and buried in the pit by the suspects for ritual purposes, and the rescued child was moments away from suffering the same fate before the timely intervention.”
Also, a statement on Thursday by Akinsola Akinlabi, the Public Relations Officer of the NIS, explained that the herbalist was arrested at Gbaji checkpoint along Badagry-Seme road, while attempting to flee Nigeria on a motorcycle.
Akinlabi said the immigration is currently collaborating with the police for the handing over of the suspect.
“Through credible intelligence, Obu Levi Obieze was apprehended by vigilant men of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Border Patrol Command, at Gbaji checkpoint, along Badagry-Seme Road, while attempting to flee the country on a motorcycle.
“He is currently in custody and his identity has been confirmed through a National Identity Management Commission enrollment slip found in his possession.
“During initial questioning, he admitted to the alleged crimes,” the statement noted.
