A 30-year-old man has been apprehended by the Enugu State Police Command in connection with the murder of a 4-year-old girl in Nsukka, Enugu State.

The arrest was confirmed by DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Enugu State Command.

According to a statement released on Tuesday, the incident occurred on the night of August 18, 2024, around 10:30 pm.

Police operatives from the Nsukka Sector’s Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad responded to a distress call reporting the murder of a young girl at a residence on Orba Road in Nsukka Local Government Area.

Upon arrival, they discovered that the child, Zinachukwu Ugwu, had been killed by a neighbour, Nweke Chukwuemeka, aged 30.

Ndukwe explained that Chukwuemeka, who was residing in the same compound as the victim’s family, allegedly committed the crime while the child was asleep.

The police recovered the knife used in the attack, as well as suspected Indian hemp, methamphetamine (locally known as “Mkpuru-more”), and what appeared to be a charm from the suspect.

The victim’s body was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead and subsequently moved to the mortuary.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Chukwuemeka had initially attempted to attack other residents before entering the victim’s apartment.

The attack on the child occurred after her mother had briefly left to protect her other children.

Chukwuemeka admitted to the crime, attributing his actions to the influence of drugs and alcohol he had consumed earlier.

He also confessed to being a member of the Vikings Confraternity and disclosed that he had previously been involved in a cult clash in Jos, Plateau State, in 2022, during which he killed a rival cult member.

The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has condemned the act as both barbaric and unthinkable. He extended his condolences to the victim’s family and assured them that every effort would be made to secure justice for the child.

CP Uzuegbu has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State CID Enugu to expedite the investigation and ensure the case is prosecuted swiftly.

He also urged the community to be vigilant and aware of the behavioural patterns of their neighbours to prevent such senseless tragedies.