The Enugu State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in its fight against violent crime with the arrest of two suspects linked to the kidnap and gruesome murder of a five-year-old boy, Master Obodoagu Wisdom, in Udi Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects — identified as Obodoagu Ikediekpere Wisdom, 18, and Sunday Michael, 24, a security guard — were arrested on August 11 and 12, 2025, following intelligence-led operations by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad led by SP Chuks Odum.
Police investigations revealed that the prime suspect, who is the victim’s second cousin, lured the child and subsequently conspired with his accomplice to demand a ransom of ₦1 million from the victim’s father. When the ransom was not paid, the boy was allegedly murdered and buried in a shallow grave in a bush near the family’s residence in Okinitor, Amankwo Ngwo.
Confirming the development in a statement, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the suspects confessed to the crime and led operatives to the site where the remains of the boy were exhumed in the presence of medical personnel.
“Investigations revealed that the prime suspect used his accomplice to disguise his identity during ransom negotiations. When the ransom was not forthcoming, he murdered the child and buried him nearby,” Ndukwe said.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family, assuring them that justice would be pursued swiftly. “We understand the pain of this tragic loss, and we will ensure that the suspects face the full weight of the law,” he said.
Building on Recent Breakthroughs
This latest arrest adds to a growing list of successes credited to the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad, which has in recent months dismantled several syndicates operating across the state. In July, the squad rescued four kidnapped travelers along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway and apprehended three suspected abductors. Earlier in June, operatives foiled an attempted kidnap-for-ransom plot in Nsukka, arresting two suspects who were found in possession of arms and communication devices.
Security analysts note that these consistent breakthroughs are gradually restoring public confidence in policing within Enugu State, particularly in rural communities that have long borne the brunt of violent crimes.
Stakeholders Applaud Police Efforts
The latest success has drawn commendations from residents, traditional rulers, and civil society groups. The President of the Enugu State Town Union Association, Chief Samuel Ugwoke, described the operation as “a painful but clear testament that the police are beginning to close in on criminal gangs that terrorize our communities.”
Similarly, women leaders in Udi commended the police for their vigilance, while calling for more community collaboration to root out criminal elements. “This tragedy should remind us all that security begins at the grassroots. Families and communities must work closely with security operatives to identify strange behaviors before they escalate,” said Mrs. Amaka Okafor, coordinator of the Udi Women Development Forum.
Public Confidence Rising
Across social media platforms, citizens also expressed both grief and appreciation, urging the police to sustain the momentum in tackling violent crimes. Analysts believe that the visible successes of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad — including intelligence-led raids and community-based policing efforts — could serve as a model for other commands across the federation.
As investigations progress, the two suspects remain in custody and are expected to be arraigned in court soon.
For the grieving family of young Wisdom, justice may yet bring a measure of closure — while for the wider Enugu public, the police’s resolve signals that the era of impunity for kidnappers is gradually being rolled back.
