Police probe death of landlady found in Abia soakaway pit

The Abia State Police Command has commenced an investigation after the body of a missing landlady was discovered in a soakaway pit in her neighbour’s compound in Umueleghele, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police, AIG Wilfred Afolabi, confirmed the incident on Friday while briefing journalists on the command’s activities since September 11.

“The matter is being investigated,” he said.

The discovery followed the woman’s disappearance, which reportedly triggered a search by members of the community.

A community source who pleaded anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter said residents initially believed the woman had travelled but became concerned when she remained missing for several days.

The source said the traditional ruler was informed, while the town crier and youths were mobilised to search farms, pathways, bushes and uncompleted buildings in the community.

“The traditional ruler was informed. The town crier moved. Youths were mobilised. For days, Umueleghele was searched – farms, paths, bushes, uncompleted buildings. The air was heavy with anxiety.

“Nobody imagined that the answer was right inside the community – inside a 30-foot soakaway pit,” the source said.

The search eventually led to the discovery of her remains inside a soakaway pit measuring about 30 feet in a neighbouring compound, according to the source.

Community sources alleged that the woman had been involved in a land dispute with a man in the area before her disappearance.

They claimed she had refused to sell part of her land to the man, identified locally as ‘New World’, and alleged that he was connected to her disappearance.

The allegations have not been independently established, and the police have yet to publicly identify a suspect or disclose the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.

The community sources also alleged that acid had been poured into the soakaway pit and that some parts of the woman’s body were missing when her remains were recovered.

The claims, including suggestions of ritual motives, have not been confirmed by the police.

The suspect was reportedly handed over to the police for investigation.