Friday Akonobi has been detained by the Anambra State Police Command in relation to the k!dnapping and r!tual k!lling of a six-year-old girl in a case involving Obieze Ezeani, an alleged native doctor from Enugu.
According to reports, bodies were found in soakaway pits in Ezeani’s compound in Umumba Ndiagu, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State. Ezeani, also known as “Edey Play” or “Edey Show,” was arrested by the Nigerian Immigration Service while trying to escape the country through a land border.
The victim, identified as Ozioma Nwankwo, was k!.dnapped from the Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on May 10, 2025, and transported to the local doctor in Enugu State, according to a statement released by the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
During questioning, Akonobi admitted to carrying out the crime with four other accomplices who are still at large, according to the PPRO.
The suspect claimed that the alleged native doctor, Obieze Ezeani, paid them the sum of N1m each to deliver a virgin girl to him.
He further stated that the victim was m8√dered and used for rituals.
“The Anambra State Police Operatives attached to Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu acting on credible information in the early hours of 17th January, 2026 arrested one Friday Akonobi, male, aged 28 years,” the statement read.
“The arrest is in connection with the abduction and m_rder of a six-year old girl, in a case linked to an Enugu-based alleged native doctor, Obieze Ezeani, popularly known as “Edey Play” or “Edey Show.”
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was allegedly involved in the abduction of Late Miss Ozioma Nwankwo, a six-year old girl who was abd_cted on 10th May, 2025, from Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
“During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to committing the crime in collaboration with four other accomplices currently at large.
“He stated that the victim was taken to Enugu to the alleged native doctor Obieze Ezeani, and claimed that he and his accomplices acted as agents for him as he paid them the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) each for any virgin girl brought to him. He further stated that the victim was m8rdered and used for rituals.
“The suspect also stated that the said native doctor has since been arrested by operatives of the Enugu State Police Command, a development that has generated public attention following the circulation of related videos on social media.
“The Anambra State Police Command assures members of the public that intensive efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects and ensure that all those involved are brought to justice. Further developments will be communicated.”