Man drowns during mother’s exorcism ritual in Enugu river

DDM News

A young man has tragically drowned during a spiritual cleansing exercise conducted by his mother in Enugu State.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the incident occurred at the Mmiri Ani River in the Obiagu area of Enugu on Thursday, June 5.

The victim, 23-year-old Chiemelie Nnaji, was popularly known in the community for roasting pork and chicken outside a local motel.

Despite his vibrant personality, residents confirmed that Chiemelie suffered from recurring epileptic seizures.

On the day of the tragedy, his mother—commonly known as Ezenwanyi, a local spiritualist—took him and a female client to the river for what was described as a cleansing ritual.

Witnesses say the mother had hoped her son would take over her spiritual practice, and had been mentoring him in recent times.

During the ritual, Ezenwanyi began performing an exorcism using a native fowl, while her client stood nearby.

As the chants and rituals intensified, Chiemelie reportedly had an epileptic episode while waist-deep in the river.

Witnesses say he fell and began to drown as the seizure took hold of him in the water.

Shockingly, despite desperate pleas from her client, Ezenwanyi reportedly remained deep in spiritual incantations and refused to intervene.

The female client eventually stopped the ritual and began screaming for help, drawing the attention of local residents.

Good Samaritans rushed to the scene and managed to pull Chiemelie’s body from the river.

He was still alive at the time, but in a critical condition.

Eyewitnesses say he was rushed to two different hospitals, but both reportedly refused to admit him.

By the time they reached a third medical facility, he was declared dead on arrival.

“It was a terrible sight,” said a local eyewitness. “The other woman was crying and begging the spiritualist to help, but she continued chanting as if she wasn’t hearing.”

“The boy was still breathing when we pulled him out. But both hospitals said they couldn’t take him. By the time we got to the third one, he had died.”

The Enugu State Police Command has since arrested the mother, Ezenwanyi, over her role in the tragic incident.

Sources close to the police say investigations have commenced into possible negligence, spiritual malpractice, and involuntary manslaughter.

Local residents have expressed deep anger over the boy’s death, blaming it on blind adherence to dangerous rituals.

“This tragedy could have been avoided,” said another resident. “She was supposed to be his mother, not just a spiritualist.”

Community leaders have called for more public education on epilepsy and proper medical intervention.

Experts say epileptic seizures can be managed with medication and professional care, warning against using spiritual rituals as treatment.

Many in the Obiagu area now question the role of traditional exorcism practices, especially when it endangers vulnerable individuals.

Mental health advocates have also raised concerns about the stigma surrounding epilepsy, which often pushes sufferers into unsafe treatments.

Chiemelie’s death has sparked widespread grief in Obiagu, where he was described as a hardworking and cheerful young man.

His body has been deposited at a local morgue pending autopsy and further investigation.

The police are expected to file charges once preliminary findings are concluded.

DDM will continue monitoring developments in this tragic story as more details emerge.

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