Police arrest female native doctor after three children found dead in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has commenced an investigation following the discovery of the bodies of three children at the residence of a female native doctor in Umuoduba Village, Ideani Community, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

The incident, which has left residents of the community in shock, also saw a fourth child rescued alive and taken to hospital for treatment.

According to local sources, four children aged between six and 15 were found unconscious inside the residence of the suspect, who is popularly known in the community as an “Ezenwanyi” (Prophetess of Goddess) and is also said to be involved in livestock farming.

Three of the children were confirmed dead, while the fourth was rescued through the intervention of the President General of the Ideani Community, Chief Paul Okoye, and officers from the Ogidi Police Division.

The surviving child was rushed to a nearby hospital, where medical personnel are providing treatment. Authorities have yet to disclose the identities of the victims or their relationship with the suspect.

The female native doctor was arrested by police officers at the scene in the presence of the Chairman of Idemili North Local Government Area, Mr. Stanley Nkwoka, and subsequently taken to the Ogidi Divisional Police Headquarters for questioning.

The bodies of the deceased children have been deposited in a mortuary, where autopsies will be conducted as part of the investigation.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said detectives had launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

“The command has commenced a full-scale investigation into the incident to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the children,” Ikenga said, adding that the suspect remains in police custody and is assisting with the investigation.

He expressed condolences to the bereaved families and urged members of the public to remain calm, refrain from spreading unverified information, and allow investigators to carry out their work.

Police said further details would be made available as investigations progress.