Popular Spiritualist Arrested After Three Children Were Found Dead in Her Anambra Home

Three children have been confirmed dead after they were discovered unconscious inside the residence of a female native doctor in Umuoduba Village, Ideani Community, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The children, believed to be between the ages of six and 15, were found alongside a fourth child who was rescued alive. The survivor was rushed to the hospital after the President General of Ideani Community, Chief Paul Okoye, and the Divisional Police Officer of the Ogidi Division intervened. The child is currently receiving treatment in critical condition.

Following the incident, police operatives took the female native doctor into custody, while the Chairman of Idemili North Local Government Area, Stanley Nkwoka, also visited the scene.

Confirming the incident on Wednesday, August 5, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said officers responded immediately after receiving the report and transported all four children to the hospital for emergency treatment. Sadly, doctors confirmed three of the victims dead, while the fourth remains hospitalised.

Ikenga said the suspect is in police custody and that the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has taken over the case to carry out a thorough, intelligence-driven and evidence-based investigation into the circumstances surrounding the children’s deaths.

He added that investigators hope to obtain the surviving child’s account once medically cleared, as it could help uncover what happened. The bodies of the deceased have been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

The police extended their condolences to the families of the deceased and the Ideani community, urging members of the public to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and allow investigators to conclude their work. The command said further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.