Abia police launch investigation into suspected ritual killings in Imo River

DDM News

The Abia State Police Command has launched an investigation into the shocking discovery of over 30 bodies suspected to be victims of ritual killings in the Imo River, located in Oriendu community.

This disturbing revelation follows an alarm raised by the traditional ruler of Oriendu, His Royal Highness Eze Philip Ajomuiwe, who reported that more than 30 bodies had been dumped in the river between 2024 and February 2025.

Speaking on the matter, the monarch expressed deep concern over the gruesome nature of the killings, stressing that they appeared to be ritual-related crimes.

He revealed that the community, which shares a boundary with Imo State, had been grappling with this horrifying trend, as mutilated bodies continued to be discovered in the river.

According to Eze Ajomuiwe, the victims, mostly young ladies, were often found completely naked, with their private parts missing, an indication that they were used for ritual purposes.

Bodies dumped in the dead of night by suspected ritualists

The traditional ruler further disclosed that the suspected ritualists, believed to be operating from Imo State, usually carried out their evil deeds under the cover of darkness.

He lamented that residents of Oriendu would often wake up to the harrowing sight of lifeless bodies floating in the Imo River, some of them stuffed in bags.

The monarch cited an instance where two decomposing bodies were found near the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline, raising fears that the ritual killings were increasing.

He emphasized that the pattern of the killings suggested that the perpetrators were engaged in ritual activities, using human body parts for their dark practices.

Eze Ajomuiwe condemned the continuous dumping of mutilated corpses into the river, describing it as an affront to humanity and a security threat to the entire region.

He called on security agencies to intensify their efforts in tracking down the ritualists and putting an end to the heinous crimes.

Police, vigilantes join forces to unmask the killers

Following the monarch’s outcry, the Abia State Police Command assured the public that it was collaborating with local vigilantes to unravel the mystery behind the ritual killings.

A police spokesperson stated that officers had been deployed to the affected area to monitor suspicious movements and investigate leads that could expose the culprits.

He explained that law enforcement agencies were determined to ensure that those responsible for the ritual killings did not evade justice.

However, despite the police intervention, the traditional ruler lamented that no arrests had been made since the bodies began appearing in the river.

He expressed frustration that security agencies had not apprehended a single suspect, despite multiple reports and calls for urgent action.

Community vigilante group seeks government support

The Oriendu community’s vigilante group has made several attempts to capture the suspected ritualists but has been unsuccessful due to inadequate resources.

According to Eze Ajomuiwe, the local security outfit lacks the necessary weapons and equipment to confront the heavily armed perpetrators of the ritual killings.

He explained that the ritualists were well-armed and operated with sophistication, making it difficult for vigilantes to apprehend them without proper support.

The monarch appealed to the state government to provide the vigilante group with weapons, logistics, and financial support to enable them to tackle the criminals.

He argued that no security outfit could successfully confront ritualists who were armed with dangerous weapons without having sufficient firepower to defend themselves.

According to Diaspora digital media (DDM), the monarch further stated that the safety of his people was at risk, as fear had gripped the entire community due to the ongoing ritual killings.

Repeated reports to security agencies yield no results

Eze Ajomuiwe disclosed that he had officially reported the disturbing situation to various security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS).

He revealed that the DSS had visited the community and held a meeting with residents to assess the security threats posed by the ritual killings.

The traditional ruler also confirmed that he wrote a letter to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly on February 7, seeking urgent intervention.

Despite these efforts, he lamented that no significant action had been taken to stop the ritual killings, leaving the community in a constant state of fear.

He reiterated his appeal for government intervention, stressing that only decisive action from security forces could put an end to the ritual-related crimes.

Conclusion: Community demands swift action against ritual killings

As investigations continue, the residents of Oriendu remain anxious, fearing that more bodies could be discovered in the river if immediate action is not taken.

Security experts have urged authorities to take the reports seriously and deploy more personnel to the area to track down the ritualists.

The monarch and his people are hoping that the renewed attention on the case will lead to the arrest and prosecution of those behind the ritual killings.

For now, the community awaits a concrete response from law enforcement agencies to restore peace and security in the troubled area.

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