Immigration Hands Over Fleeing Ritualist to Lagos Police

.Three more suspects arrested

. Enugu govt commends NIS, confirms demolition of suspect’s mansions

Chiemelie Ezeobi

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has handed over Obi Levi Obieze, a native doctor from Enugu State, to the Lagos State Police Command after his arrest on Wednesday at the Gbaji checkpoint along the Badagry-Seme Expressway.

Also, the Enugu State Police Command had arrested three other suspects in relation to the abduction: Uche Kingsley Agumba (33), Ilo Nweze Onyedikachi (36), and Ejike Odinwankpa (38) before Obieze fled.

This was as the Enugu State Government yesterday commended the vigilance of the men and officers of NIS who arrested fleeing suspected ritualist and kidnap kingpin, Obieze, along the Badagry-Seme Road.

The government also disclosed that the suspect’s mansions at his Umumba Ndiagu country home in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State have already been demolished by the authorities on Tuesday in line with extant laws of Enugu State regarding property linked to kidnapping.

Obieze, also known as Obu Onyeka, Ezeani, and E-Dey-Play-E-Dey-Show, had been declared wanted by the Nigeria Police Force for his alleged involvement in kidnapping and ritual killings.

The suspect was presented to Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, at the Command headquarters in Lagos.

Obieze was attempting to escape to Seme on a commercial Bajaj motorcycle when he was apprehended by personnel of the NIS Lagos State Border Patrol Command at about 2p.m.

THISDAY gathered that the commercial motorcyclist had passed the immigration checkpoint at Gbaji when an officer, recognising the suspect, ordered the rider to stop.

When he attempted to flee, the NIS officers quickly apprehended him and took him to the command office, where he was detained in the NIS cell.

While in detention, the Controller of the Lagos State Border Patrol Command contacted NIS headquarters regarding the arrest.

Obieze, a resident of Umuojor Village in Ezeagu, had earlier escaped arrest and boarded a night bus to Mile 2 in Lagos, reportedly arriving around 10a.m.

The suspect is accused of being involved in the kidnapping of a 13-year-old girl, who was abducted while walking to the farm with her father earlier this month.

She was later rescued by Nigeria Police operatives from a shrine allegedly connected to Obieze.

Police discovered two decomposing bodies hidden in a pit sealed with concrete at the suspect’s residence.

The Lagos State Police Command said investigations into the case are ongoing.

Meanwhile, a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, yesterday, assured that the suspect would face the full weight of the law.

“The Enugu State Government received with delight the news of the arrest of the fugitive suspected kidnap kingpin and ritualist, Levi Obieze, by the officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service.  

“This arrest has further strengthened our hands in our bid to ensure that justice is served on all the persons involved in the gory incidents of abduction, kidnapping, and ritual killings linked to the suspect.

“As usual, the Enugu State Government has already demolished the property in his country home on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 in line with Section 315 (Second Amendment) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 30, Laws of Enugu State, regarding property linked to kidnapping.”

The government equally commended the vigilance of the community members, civilian and state security operatives for bursting the crime, saying it would not condone the acts of criminality under any guise.

“This administration will not condone any form of criminality in our communities under any guise. Therefore, this is also a call on community leaders – traditional rulers, Presidents-General of Town Unions, Neighbourhood Watch, among others, to be watchful and report such persons to government and security agencies. Those who cover up for such criminals will also be treated as accomplices,” it concluded.