He Killed Them All with a Pestle’: Horror in Enugu as Pastor Murders Four Siblings in Ibagwa Aka
A quiet Sunday in the Eche Ezama community of Ibagwa Aka, located in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, was shattered by a bloodcurdling act that has left residents in tears and disbelief. In a crime that has drawn national attention and widespread condemnation, four young siblings—Kamsiyochukwu Ezema, 7; Ezinne Ezema, 6; Ujunwa Ezema, 5; and Chinedu Ezema, 2—were gruesomely murdered inside their family home. The alleged perpetrator? A man believed to be a pastor of a Sabbath church situated just next door.
The horrific killings, which reportedly occurred while the children’s parents were away, have plunged the close-knit rural community into mourning. According to eyewitness accounts and statements from local law enforcement, the suspect, who has since been taken into custody, used a pestle—a common kitchen tool in Nigerian homes—to commit the heinous act.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, grief-stricken community members gathered in hushed clusters, many still unable to grasp the magnitude of the violence that had just unfolded in their midst. “It is something out of a nightmare,” one resident said. “We have never witnessed something this wicked before.”
The victims’ parents, Mr. Chinonso Ezema and Mrs. Loveth Ezema, who were reportedly out running errands at the time of the incident, have been left utterly devastated. Their home, once echoing with the playful sounds of their four children, now stands cold and silent—marked by the bloodstains of unspeakable violence.
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Speaking to the press shortly after the news broke, Mr. Ezema struggled to compose himself as he narrated the events leading to the discovery of his children’s lifeless bodies. “We were only gone for a short while,” he said. “When we returned, we saw something we never imagined. Our four children… all dead. Beaten with a pestle. Why would anyone do this?”
He added that their house shares a fence with the church where the suspect ministers, a fact that now haunts the grieving father even more. “We thought we were living close to men of God,” he said. “We never imagined that evil was just a few steps away.”
A member of the extended family, who preferred not to be named, confirmed that the suspect entered the compound by scaling the fence. “There was no forced entry,” she said. “He climbed over the wall, went inside, and did this terrible thing. The children were alone. They couldn’t even run.”
The suspect, whose name is being withheld pending further investigation, is currently being detained at the Ibagwa Aka Divisional Police Station. According to a police source, a preliminary report has been filed, and the suspect is cooperating with investigators. “We are exploring all angles,” the officer said. “We don’t want to jump to conclusions until we understand what led to this.”
While a motive remains elusive, unconfirmed reports circulating among residents suggest that the suspect may have had unresolved disputes with the Ezema family or may be suffering from a mental health condition. Others in the community describe him as a reserved but seemingly devout religious figure, which has made the case all the more confounding.
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“How could a man of God do this?” asked one shocked congregant from the suspect’s church. “He was always preaching about peace and repentance. This is something only a demon could do, not a pastor.”
At the crime scene, investigators were seen combing through the Ezema family’s home, collecting evidence and taking photographs. The pestle believed to have been used in the attack was recovered at the site, now being analyzed for forensic clues. Police say the results of the autopsy and mental health evaluations will guide the next steps in their inquiry.
The Enugu State Police Command has since issued a statement confirming the incident and calling for calm. “We are aware of the unfortunate incident that occurred in Ibagwa Aka involving the murder of four siblings,” the statement read. “The suspect is in custody, and a full investigation is underway. We urge members of the public to remain calm and avoid spreading rumors or unverified information.”
In the meantime, the four small coffins have become a symbol of not just a family’s sorrow, but of a community’s disbelief. The children, described by neighbors as vibrant, well-behaved, and respectful, were buried side by side in their family compound in a solemn ceremony attended by hundreds. There were no words adequate for the occasion. Just tears, prayers, and the soft sounds of lamentation.
Reverend Paul Ogenyi, a visiting priest from a nearby church, presided over the funeral rites. “Today, we are not just burying children,” he said in his homily. “We are burying a part of our conscience. The wickedness that visited this home must never go unpunished. We demand justice, and we demand it now.”
Calls for justice have since escalated, with numerous rights groups and civic organizations demanding a transparent investigation and swift prosecution of the suspect. The Enugu State branch of the Civil Rights Agenda (CRA) issued a statement urging the Commissioner of Police to expedite the investigation and ensure that the matter is not swept under the rug.
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“This is not a case that should be allowed to fade with time,” said Ngozi Iloka, spokesperson for the CRA. “This is a test of our justice system. We cannot afford to fail these children. The system must rise to the occasion.”
Local politicians have also weighed in, with the member representing Igbo-Eze South at the State House of Assembly, Hon. Chuka Eneje, visiting the family and condemning the killings in strong terms. “This is a dark day for our community,” he said. “We will not rest until justice is served. I have spoken to the relevant authorities to ensure that this matter receives urgent attention.”
The incident has also reignited discussions about child safety and mental health in rural Nigerian communities. Experts have long warned about the lack of proper mental health screening and the stigmatization of psychiatric issues in many parts of the country. “If this was indeed a case of mental illness, it could have been prevented with the right interventions,” said Dr. Kingsley Edeh, a clinical psychologist based in Nsukka.
Meanwhile, grief counselors have begun working with the Ezema family and other affected members of the community. “The psychological damage from something like this is long-term,” said Ijeoma Akubueze, a trauma therapist. “The parents will need ongoing support, as will other children in the neighborhood who were close to the victims.”
Schools in the area, including the ones attended by Kamsiyochukwu and Ezinne, held moments of silence in memory of the deceased. Teachers described them as “bright and cheerful,” with big dreams of becoming doctors and teachers.
“What happened to them should never happen to any child,” said one of their teachers at Ibagwa Central Primary School. “We are not just mourning their loss—we are mourning the loss of hope.”
As the police investigation progresses, more details are expected to emerge in the coming weeks. For now, the Ezema household remains a site of tragedy and unanswered questions. Candles burn at their gate, flowers are laid along the dusty road leading to their home, and neighbors continue to come in solidarity, bringing food, comfort, and the only thing that seems to matter now—presence.
But as the outcry grows, so too does the resolve of the community to ensure that the matter does not fade into obscurity. As Mr. Ezema said with haunting clarity during a visit from journalists: “Our children are gone. But we will not allow their death to go in vain. We want justice—not just for us, but for every family who believes their children are safe at home.”
And so, the story continues—of loss, of pain, and of a relentless search for truth in a world that suddenly feels far less safe.
