Enugu State police have detained a native doctor, Enuwa Odugu, for allegedly being involved in the death of Chikwado Eze, a 26-year-old male, during “fortification”.
Uwakwe Eze, the victim’s father, was also detained in connection with his son’s death.
Daniel Ndukwe, the police spokesman in Enugu State, confirmed this in a statement issued on Tuesday night.
Ndukwe, a deputy superintendent of police, stated that the victim’s 67-year-old father had taken him to a native doctor, Odugu, 48, to “fortify” him when the tragedy occurred.
“However, during the ritual, the deceased was buried in a coffin but he unfortunately died in the process.
“He was rushed to the hospital and confirmed dead by the attending doctor, and his body deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy,” the police spokesperson said.
He did not indicate when or where the incident occurred.
Ndukwe stated that the local doctor had admitted to the crime and described how he carried out similar rites without incident.
He went on to say that the local doctor blamed the victim’s death on his purported failure to follow certain ceremonial norms previously recommended to him.
“The case is under investigation, and the suspects will be arraigned in court once investigations are concluded,” the police said.