From Horror to Hope: Enugu Govt Awards Scholarship to 13-Year-Old Girl Ritual Victim
The Enugu State Government has transferred 13-year-old Ukamaka Okonkwo, a girl rescued from a ritual killing attempt, to a rehabilitation center for therapy and care.
The Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs, and Social Development in Enugu State, Ngozi Enih, disclosed this on Sunday in Enugu.
Ukamaka Okonkwo was reportedly pushed into a sewage pit by a native doctor, Onyeka Obu, for ritual purposes before being rescued.
This horrifying incident occurred in Umumba Ndiagu, a community in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The native doctor, Levi Onyeka Obieze Obu—also known as Ozo Ezeani and “E dey play E dey show”—is alleged to have buried several victims in the pit, including a pregnant woman. All victims had died by the time Ukamaka was rescued.
Obu was arrested by personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) at the Badagry-Seme Border Area of Lagos as he attempted to flee the country. He was subsequently handed over to the police for prosecution.
According to Mrs. Enih, Governor Peter Mbah directed that Ukamaka be moved to a rehabilitation center due to the severe trauma she likely endured.
The governor has awarded her a scholarship to support her education to university level.
“We visited Ndiagu Umumba, Ezeagu LGA, today (Sunday) at the governor’s instruction to meet with Ukamaka’s parents and bring her to Enugu (Urban), where she will receive the necessary therapy and full rehabilitation,”
“You can only imagine the level of trauma this young girl must have experienced. The government is committed to ensuring she recovers fully in the shortest possible time.”Mrs. Enih said.
The commissioner added, “The governor has graciously awarded Ukamaka a scholarship that will cover her education from her current class through to university.”
“This gesture is to reassure her and her family that they are not alone and to bring some hope and joy amidst the ordeal.”
“Government is determined to help her fulfill her glorious destiny because she is truly a child destined for greatness,” she stated.
Mrs. Enih also revealed that a government delegation visited the family of another victim, Chimaobi Ezih, whose body was recovered from the same sewage pit. Chimaobi had been missing for weeks after being abducted while returning from school.
The delegation traveled to Agba Umana, a neighboring community in Ezeagu LGA, to offer condolences to the bereaved family.
Meanwhile, the identity of the pregnant woman found dead in the pit remains unknown.
Mrs. Enih assured that the government, alongside security agencies, is actively working to apprehend all suspects involved in these ritual abductions and killings.
“This is the only way to appease the spirits and souls of the deceased and rid our society of such heinous crimes,” she concluded.
