Teen Kills 5-Year-Old Cousin After Failed Ransom Demand in Enugu,Two in Arrested

Enugu State Police Command has apprehended two suspects in connection with the kidnapping and brutal murder of a five-year-old boy in Udi Local Government Area. The suspects, identified as Ikediekpere Obodoagu, 18, and Sunday Michael, 24, allegedly plotted and executed this grim act that has deeply unsettled the community.

The victim, Wisdom Obodoagu, was Obodoagu’s second cousin. They both come from Okinitor village in Amankwo Ngwo community within Udi LGA. Sunday Michael, a security guard based at 9th Mile and originally from Mayo-Belwa LGA in Adamawa State, is accused of aiding Obodoagu in the crime.

According to the police spokesperson, Superintendent Daniel Ndukwe, the boy was reported missing on July 26, 2025. Subsequent investigations revealed that Obodoagu orchestrated the abduction and enlisted Michael to anonymously demand a ransom of ₦1 million from the child’s father. The use of an accomplice was a deliberate move to obscure Obodoagu’s involvement.

The police revealed that upon failure of the ransom payment, Obodoagu murdered the child and buried him in a bush near their home in Okinitor. Both suspects were arrested on August 11 and 12 by the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad after intelligence led to their capture.

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During police interrogation, the suspects confessed to the kidnapping and killing of the boy. Obodoagu directed officers to the burial site, where the body was exhumed in the presence of medical personnel, including a doctor who confirmed the death.

The Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and assured that the suspects would be brought to justice upon the conclusion of investigations. He reiterated the police force’s commitment to combating heinous crimes and ensuring the safety of residents.

Under Nigerian law, kidnapping resulting in death carries the death penalty, while kidnapping alone can lead to life imprisonment. This case underscores the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in curbing such grave offenses in the region.