By Dennis Agbo

The parents of four-year-old Miss Zina Ugwu, who was brutally murdered in her sleep in Nsukka, Enugu State, by a suspected drug addict, have pleaded with the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure justice for their daughter.

According to the grieving parents, the suspect, allegedly under the influence of an illicit drug overdose, broke into their residence along Orba Road, Nsukka, at around 11:30 p.m. on August 18, 2024.

After forcefully collapsing their door, he stormed into their flat, seized Zina, who was asleep, and slit her throat in the presence of her siblings and mother, Lovet.

The victim’s father, Dr. Ndubuisi Ugwu, who lectures at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, was away in Ekiti State when the tragic incident occurred.

Dr. Ugwu expressed frustration over the police’s handling of the case, alleging repeated demands for unaffordable sums of money while the landlord of the residence and his wife, and other alleged accomplices faced frivolous charges and were quickly granted bail.

“Even the murderer, was given only one charge of murder. Despite being remanded in prison, the case has not progressed beyond the magistrate court, which lacks jurisdiction. Meanwhile, the landlord was hastily granted bail due to weak charges,” Ugwu lamented.

He further alleged that the landlord’s wife, directed the suspect to their apartment. Ugwu revealed that the suspect openly declared after the killing that he had “accomplished the job” for which the landlord allegedly paid him ₦1 million.

“I’m appealing to the Inspector General of Police to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the landlord, his wife, and other accomplices are brought to justice,” Ugwu stated.

He accused the landlord of offering him ₦500,000 to drop the case. “In the presence of his brother, lawyer, and my family members, the landlord promised ₦500,000 if I would absolve him of involvement. When I refused, his brother warned me that the case would go nowhere regardless.”

Dr. Ugwu also called for the re-arrest of the landlord, his wife, and a neighbor, Nwanyiocha, who allegedly locked their child in a prior suspected kidnapping attempt.

“We seek swift and impartial justice for our innocent daughter. This delay has prolonged our pain. We implore the authorities to fast-track justice and put an end to our suffering,” the bereaved parents pleaded.