By Uboh-Ekong Treasure
The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 20 year old herbalist, Amechi Okwuokenye, and his 26 year old stepbrother, Smart Okwuokenye, following the discovery of two decomposing bodies allegedly buried at a shrine in Owa-Alidima community, Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State.
Police investigations revealed that one of the victims, identified as Friday Liberty, had visited the herbalist’s shrine in late September 2025 for spiritual consultation but never returned home. His disappearance prompted family members to alert the police, leading to a discreet investigation by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Asaba.
According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, intelligence gathering and sustained surveillance led to the arrest of the suspects at the shrine. During interrogation, the duo reportedly confessed to kidnapping and murdering two victims Friday Liberty and Isioma Ugbeje, a commercial motorcyclist after a failed ransom attempt.
Edafe disclosed that the suspects had demanded ₦10 million from Liberty’s family but went on to kill the victims when the ransom was not paid. The decomposing bodies were later found dumped inside a soak-away pit beside the shrine.
“Upon thorough search of the premises, the police recovered the two corpses buried in a soak-away within the shrine. The remains have been exhumed and deposited at the mortuary for autopsy, while investigation continues,” Edafe said.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, condemned the gruesome act, describing it as a “barbaric and inhumane crime,” and assured that the suspects would face full prosecution under the law.
He further warned residents to be cautious about patronising unverified traditional practitioners and reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling ritual related crimes across the state.
