BY NGOZI OKORIE
THE Police in Enugu State have commenced a full-scale investigation into the mysterious deaths of three children at Itchi, in Igbo Eze South Council area of the state.
The Command said the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ahmad AbdurRahman, who ordered the full-scale investigation, had directed the transfer of the case to the State CID to ascertain the cause of their death as well as arrest and prosecute the culprits.
The Commissioner also urged parents and guardians to be vigilant and take good care of their children/wards, especially now that the year was coming to a close.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement, said, “On 23/11/2020 at 09 40hrs, the Command received a report made at Igbo-Eze South Divisional Headquarters that three (3) children were found dead in a parked Toyota Camry Car in Itchi Community of Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area.
“On receipt of the report, Operatives of the Division dashed to the scene and found two (2) of the children still alive, while three others were lifeless. The surviving children were immediately taken to the hospital for medical attention, while the lifeless ones have been deposited in the mortuary for medical autopsy.”
The PPRO said preliminary investigation revealed that the children, belonging to different parents, “include one Chukwuebuka Ele (male, aged 5); Chinyere Eze (female, aged 4); and Chibugoh Eze (female, aged 4); all found lifeless.”
According to him, Kingsley Eze (male, aged 3) and Nmasichukwu Eze (female, aged 12), were both found alive.
Ndukwe said investigation also revealed that the children had left their homes in Nkalagu-Okpuku community of the same Local Government Area to fetch water from a borehole in Itchi, a neighbouring community, on 22/11/2020, and were not seen till the following morning when they were found locked up in the said vehicle.
He stated, “Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad AbdurRahman, has directed the transfer of the case to the State CID and the launch of a full-scale investigation to ascertain the cause of their death as well as arrest and prosecute the culprits.
“He further tasks parents/guardians to be vigilant and take good care of their children/wards, especially in these “Ember” Months period, while reassuring the emplacement of adequate security.”
“Meanwhile, one suspect has been arrested in connection with the case, while members of the public have been enjoined to remain law-abiding, vigilant and promptly report acts of crimes and criminality to the nearest Police Station or call the command’s hotlines,” he noted.
