Police investigate landlady's death found in soakaway pit in Abia

The Abia State Police Command has started an investigation after a missing landlady's body was found in a soakaway pit. This pit is located in her neighbor’s compound in Umueleghele, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.

The Commissioner of Police, AIG Wilfred Afolabi, confirmed this sad news on Friday. He spoke to journalists about the command’s activities since September 11.

"The matter is being investigated," he said.

This discovery came after the woman went missing, which led to a search by community members.

A source from the community, who wants to stay anonymous due to the sensitivity of the case, said residents first thought the woman had traveled. But they got worried when she did not return after several days.

The source added that the traditional ruler was informed about her disappearance. The town crier and local youths were then mobilized to search farms, pathways, bushes, and uncompleted buildings around the area.

"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," the source said.

"Nobody imagined that the answer was right inside the community, inside a 30-foot soakaway pit," the source continued.

Eventually, the search led to the discovery of her remains in a soakaway pit that is about 30 feet deep in a neighboring compound, according to the same source.

Community members claim that the woman had a land dispute with a man in the area before she disappeared. They said she refused to sell part of her land to this man, known locally as ‘New World’. They believe he is linked to her disappearance.

These allegations have not been confirmed, and the police have not publicly named any suspect or shared details about how the woman died.

The community sources also alleged that acid was poured into the soakaway pit. They claimed some parts of the woman’s body were missing when her remains were found.

These claims, including ideas of ritual motives, have not been verified by the police.

Reports say that the suspect was handed over to the police for further investigation.