The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old man, Friday Akonobi, in connection with the abduction and alleged ritual killing of a six-year-old girl in a case linked to an Enugu-based suspected native doctor, Obieze Ezeani, popularly known as “Edey Play” or “Edey Show.”
It was gathered that the victim, identified as Ozioma Nwankwo, was abducted from Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on May 10, 2025, by a five-man syndicate and sold to the alleged native doctor in Enugu State.
In a statement released on Sunday, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said Akonobi was arrested on Saturday by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, following credible intelligence.
Ikenga said the suspect allegedly confessed during interrogation to committing the crime in collaboration with four other accomplices who are currently at large.
The statement partly read, “Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, acting on credible information, arrested one Friday Akonobi, male, aged 28 years, in the early hours of January 17, 2026.
“The arrest is in connection with the abduction and murder 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 the late Miss Ozioma Nwankwo, a six-year-old girl who was abducted on May 10, 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 and handed over to the alleged native doctor, Obieze Ezeani, adding that he and his accomplices acted as agents and were allegedly paid ₦1 million each for any virgin girl delivered to him.
“He further stated that the victim was murdered and used for ritual purposes.
“The suspect also disclosed 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.”
Ikenga assured members of the public that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects and ensure that all those involved were brought to justice, adding that further developments would be communicated.
Meanwhile, PUNCH Online reports that on January 11, the Anambra State Police Command arrested a 26-year-old man in connection with the murder of his girlfriend.
The suspect, Anikpe Chibuike, was alleged to have murdered his girlfriend, Ogechukwu Mmadubugwu, a 35-year-old single mother, in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of the state, on the night of December 9, 2025.
The arrest was carried out by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, on January 7, 2026, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga.