Operatives of the Imo state Police command have arrested three suspects found with a human skull belonging to a yet-to-be-identified person at Ogii Community in Okigwe local government area of the state.
Spokesperson for Imo State Command, DSP Henry Okoye said the three suspects were arrested on Monday, February 3rd, following a tip-off by the locals of Ogii community.
DSP Okoye identified the arrested three suspects as Patrick Okoere, 29; Ifeanyichukwu Anyaemeka, 28; and Chukwuemeka Onyekachi, 20, all from Amasiri in Afikpo local government area of Ebonyi State.
The suspects claimed that one Mr Osunta Oko, an uncle to Patrick requested them to get a human skull for him to use over a land tussle involving other people.
Other items found on the suspects include a native hen and white garments.
According to them, they got the skull from a riverbank in Ogii, along the Okigwe-Umuahia Expressway, an area DSP Okoye said was notorious for kidnapping and missing people.
“As part of the Imo State Police Command’s continued efforts to curb criminal activities in the state, operatives of Okigwe divisional headquarters, in collaboration with residents of Ogii community, on 3/02/2025, arrested three suspects found in possession of a human skull, a native hen and white garments along the Okigwe-Umuahia Express Road.
“The three individuals arrested—Patrick Okoere (29), Ifeanyichukwu Anyaemeka (28), and Chukwuemeka Onyekachi (20)—are currently under investigation. During questioning, Patrick stated that his uncle, Osunta Oko, had asked him to acquire a human skull. He claimed to have found it along a riverbank on the Okigwe-Umuahia Expressway, an area where the command has received cases of kidnappings,” police said in the statement.
Okoye further disclosed that a manhunt has been launched for the alleged uncle, Mr Oko, stressing that a Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) will be conducted to identify the deceased person with the skull.
“The Imo State Police Command is actively pursuing Osunta Oko and other possible accomplices in connection with this disturbing incident. In addition, a DNA analysis is underway to determine the identity of the skull’s owner,” he said.
Okoye said the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Aboki Danjuma has reassured the public of the command’s unwavering commitment to the safety and security of all residents.
He emphasised that justice will be served and that the suspects will face prosecution upon the completion of investigation.
“The public will be provided with further updates as the investigation unfolds”, Okoye assured.
Leadership reports that several people have gone missing or kidnapped along the Okigwe-Umuahia road even as some communities have been deserted in Okigwe due to insurgency.
