Police arrest couple for allegedly poisoning 10-year-old stepson to death over suspected witchcraft

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested one Akan Umoh and his wife, Rita Umoh, for allegedly poisoning their son, Saviour Umoh, over witchcraft suspicion.

It was gathered that the deceased was poisoned to death after the administration of poisonous “evil beans” to remove the witchcraft.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, in a statement on Tuesday, said the duo was arrested by the detectives from Abak division after tip-off.

The suspects, according to the statement, have confessed to their crimes.

The statement read in part, “On 29th August 2021, at about 4:30 pm, relying on information received from one Mfon Francis of Ekpat Iduot village that one Akan Jimmy Umoh and his wife, Rita Jimmy Umoh, of same address, conspired and poisoned to death her stepson, one Master Savior Jimmy Umoh, a 10-year-old boy on the allegation of witchcraft.

“Detectives of Abak Division swiftly responded and arrested the duo of Akan and Rita Jimmy Umoh who happen to be the father and step-mother of the deceased, respectively.

“On interrogation, suspects confessed to have administered poisonous concoction called ‘Evil Beans’ on the child to remove witchcraft, which they, according to prophecy, claimed was the cause of their economic misfortunes and health challenges, including the poor academic performance of his half-siblings.

“A search in the house revealed a boldly written inscription on the wall by the step-mother, ‘Saviour is the witch of this house.’ Photographs were taken while the corpse was removed and deposited in the mortuary for autopsy,” he said.

The statement further revealed that the command also arrested a local gun fabricator, one Ekike David, who hails from the Nsit-Ubium local government area of the state.

David was arrested with an AK-47 rifle, one pump action, one pistol and 6 Dane guns by a surveillance team attached to the ‘A” division located at Barracks Road, Uyo Akwa Ibom state capital.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect (David) is a Welder who specialises in making and selling locally-made rifles and other types of guns to criminal elements who use same in terrorising innocent members of the public”

Macdon said the State Commissioner of Police, Andrew Amiengheme, assured that the perpetrators of the crimes would be prosecuted.

He called on members of the public to be vigilant and willing to give the Police and sister security agencies timely information that would assist in curbing crimes and criminality in the state.

(The PUNCH)