Tragedy struck in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, on Thursday, as a 39-year-old pregnant woman identified as Esther Enemo was killed allegedly by her brother-in-law for ritual purpose.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the gruesome killing of Esther took place at her Temidire Zone 4 community in Egbejila area of Ilorin.
A neighbour of the victim told LEADERSHIP that Esther, who was alone at home on Wednesday night, was found brutally murdered on Thursday.
The neighbour, who pleaded anonymity, said the Enemos were not well known in the neighbourhood, adding that: “They are Igbos. We don’t really know them in particular or their occupation. They usually come home at night, and sometimes, it was only through the rays of light that we will know that they are around. They don’t really live here.”
The source narrated how her own husband, while fetching water, encountered a man wearing a facemask and leaving the compound on the night of the incident.
“He challenged the man and the man removed his mask, identifying himself as Esther’s husband’s younger brother. He locked the door from outside and left. It was then my husband realized something was wrong. A woman had been in the building, but a man left. He called out to the woman from the window, but there was no response. Moments later, we discovered traces of blood in the compound. That was when we raised an alarm,” she added.
The victim’s husband, Mr. Ekene Enemo, is said to be a trader in agricultural chemicals and equipment in a border town in Kwara North, was not at home when the incident happened.
The spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement on Saturday, said that detectives discovered the dismembered body of the victim in the bush behind her residence, with other body parts later recovered in a sack beneath a community bridge.
She also confirmed the arrest of Mr Sylvester Enemo (aged 29 years), the younger brother of the victim’s husband, who was allegedly seen leaving the house shortly before the incident was discovered.
The statement read: “The Kwara State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public of a tragic incident that occurred in the early hours of Thursday, 21st August 2025, at Temidire community, Egbejila road, Ilorin.
”At about 0900hrs, a resident of the area, reported a suspected foul play within the residence of one Mr. Ekene Enemo. Following a swift police response, a team of detectives visited the scene, where the dismembered body of Mrs. Esther Enemo (aged 39 years) was discovered in the bush behind her residence. Further search led to the recovery of other parts of her body concealed in a sack and dumped beneath a nearby community bridge.
”A suspect, one Mr. Sylvester Enemo (aged 29 years), younger brother to the victim’s husband, who was seen leaving the house a few minutes before the discovery of the incident, has been arrested in connection with the crime. In contrast, the husband, Mr. Ekene Enemo, has also been contacted for necessary clarification. The remains of the deceased have been evacuated and deposited at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) morgue for autopsy.
”The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP Ojo Adekimi, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter, assuring that the Command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is served.
”While the Command deeply regrets the unfortunate incident, we appeal to members of the public to remain calm and avoid speculations capable of inciting fear or tension within the community. The Police are fully committed to unravelling the circumstances surrounding this incident and bringing all perpetrators to face the full weight of the law.
”The Command also reassures citizens that adequate security strategies have been reinforced across the state to safeguard lives and property. We urge residents to continue to cooperate with the Police by providing useful information that can aid ongoing investigations and security operations.
“The Kwara State Police Command remains steadfast in its resolve to protect all residents and ensure peace prevails in our communities.”
