The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed two separate incidents involving the alleged beheading of three persons in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of the state.
The incidents, which occurred on May 15, 2026, involved a man accused of beheading his mother and another suspect who allegedly severed the heads of his sister and her little daughter before he later died.
In the first incident, operatives attached to the Igbo-Etiti Division responded to a distress report at about 3:10 p.m. alleging that Anikwe Onyebuchi, aged about 40, used a cutlass to behead his 60-year-old mother, Anikwe Felicia, at Nkporogwu Ukehe Community.
Police said the corpse and severed head of the deceased were recovered and taken to the hospital, where doctors confirmed her dead before the remains were deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
The suspect was reportedly rescued and rearrested from an angry mob that had severely beaten him before he was taken to the hospital for treatment.
In a separate incident reported minutes later, operatives of the Command’s Distress Response Squad stationed at Ekwegbe Junction along the Ugwuagu/Opi/Nsukka Road responded to another distress call alleging that Joshua Eze used a cutlass to sever the heads of his sister, Nwabuche Eze, and her little daughter, Favour Eze, at Agu-Ekwegbe Community.
The police said the remains of the victims were recovered and taken to the hospital, where doctors confirmed them dead. Their corpses were later deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
According to the command, the suspect was also rescued from an angry mob in critical condition and rushed to the hospital, where he was later confirmed dead.
Police added that preliminary investigations revealed that after allegedly beheading the victims, the suspect buried their remains in a shallow grave alongside a dead white cock, suggesting possible ritual intentions.
Reacting to the incidents, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, condemned the acts and directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State CID to commence comprehensive investigations into both cases.
He also urged residents to refrain from jungle justice and instead hand over suspects to lawful authorities for investigation and prosecution.