Woman, prophet arrested for attempted murder of ex-husband’s son

Men of the Imo State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department have arrested a self-acclaimed prophet, Osinachi Makuo, a 34-year-old indigene of Ehime Mbano Local Government Area, Imo State for attempted murder of a young man.

The minions of law also arrested a woman, Nwabueze Maria, a 50-year-old indigene of Umuekwe Mgbidi, Oru West Local Government Area, Imo State for conspiring with the fake prophet to abduct and cause grievous bodily harm and attempted murder of the young man said to be the only son of the woman’s ex-husband.

Their arrest was sequel to a petition on conspiracy, abduction, attempted murder/grievous bodily harm written to the Imo State Commissioner of Police by Ike Ezenyi of Umuehi Mgbidi in Oru West LGA, Imo State, in respect of his son and victim, 24-year-old Ikenga Ezenyi.

Parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters, Owerri yesterday, the Commissioner of Police CP Barde said on receipt of the petition, he promptly ordered a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

“The intelligent and curious detectives quickly swung into action and apprehended the suspects while the cohorts of the self-styled prophet are still at large,” he said.

He said that investigation into the matter revealed that both suspects conspired and abducted Ikenga Ezenyi, took him to one Holy Sabbath Mission church at Uzunamu Mgbidi in Orlu LGA for prayers and deliverance while his hands were tied to a tree and his feet were also chained for three days.

“The suspects equally tortured the victim severely in the most inhuman conditions till both of his palms were swollen, rotten and flesh ruptured before he was rescued by his father and youth of Uzunamu community and taken to the hospital for treatment.

“Meanwhile, the evil treatment of the victim led to the amputation of his palms in the hospital to save his life from the rotten palms.”

He said the suspects would be arraigned in court upon completion of investigation.

The police boss however cautioned Imo indigenes and other residents of the state to be mindful of criminals who disguise as prophets, prophetesses or prayer warriors operating healing homes to commit heinous crimes in the state.

Barde also vowed to uncover all crimes of similar nature in the state while he encouraged the people of the state not to hesitate in reporting abnormalities of similar nature and all other kinds of crimes within the state to the police.