Tragedy struck in Umuokogbuo, Ndagbo Community, Afara, in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, as a man identified as Ibekwe Augustine James allegedly murdered his sister, Chinonso Nwabali James, and her twin babies.
The horrifying incident occurred on the night of Tuesday, February 18, 2025, sending shockwaves through the quiet community.
Reports indicate that a family member caught Ibekwe dragging the lifeless body of his sister and immediately raised an alarm.
Sensing danger, the suspect fled the scene, abandoning the body as youths and other community members rushed to the location.
A search party, including local youths and police operatives, was quickly mobilized to track him down, but he remained at large at the time of this report.
Further investigations led to the grim discovery of the dismembered bodies of the twin infants, buried in separate shallow graves within the community.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Abia State Police Command, DSP Maureen Chinaka, revealed that the case was reported at the Central Police Station in Umuahia by a family member.
“On the fateful day, a family member saw his cousin, who is said to be mentally unstable, dragging the lifeless body of Chinonso Nwabali James.
The alarm raised led the suspect to flee, leaving the victim’s body behind,” DSP Chinaka stated.
She added that police officers visited the scene, and the woman’s body was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, where doctors confirmed her death.
“At about 2 am, while searching for the suspect and the missing twins, the dismembered bodies of the children were discovered in separate shallow graves within the community,” she added.
The bodies of the victims have been deposited at the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre, where an autopsy will be conducted.
Meanwhile, police efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and bring him to justice.