A 16-year-old boy was on Monday allegedly hacked to death by one Ifeanyi Okpoko after reportedly tying and hanging him in a manual crane in Eziowelle, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The youths in the area were said to have stormed Okpoko’s residence, threatening to set the house ablaze accusing him of killing the deceased and depositing same at Iyi-Enu Mission hospital morgue, Ogidi.

The deceased, Chidera Ezeanya, was reportedly playing with his mates when he was called by the suspect.

A neighbor who pleaded anonymity said: “When it was dusk and the boy did not return, his parents became disturbed after they were told by his mates that he was called by Okpoko probably for an errand while they were playing.

“The parents immediately proceeded to Okpoko’s house where they saw the boy dead, with hands tied and hung in a manual crane.

“As soon as the parents raised alarm which attracted sympathisers, Okpoko quickly untied the corpse, put it into his car and made straight to Iyi-Enu Mission Hospital morgue where he deposited the corpse.”

He said the people who gathered, mostly youths, immediately mobilised and threatened to set the suspect's house ablaze adding that they were stopped by elders who described the incident as an abomination and assisted the youths in placing palm fronds round the house of the suspect.

The suspect is said to be currently held at Ogidi Police Station.

The Police has however denied the allegation, describing the deceased as a thief.

While denying killing the deceased, the suspected was quoted as saying: “Chidera came to my house by 2am on the fateful day to steal but as I woke up. He scaled the fence to their house.”

He however admitted going to the deceased house and dragging him to his house where he tied him and hung him on a manual crane, saying he suspected him to be the one he saw in his house the previous night.

"I am ready to take the Police to my neighbours who I felt may have hit him to death for coming to steal." he said.

Confirming the incident, the Ogidi Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Mr. Mark Ijarafu said the suspect had been arrested, adding that investigation has commenced.

He however expressed shock that such actions could be carried out in this jet age without it being reported to the Police first hand.

He added: “The suspect even deposited the corpse at the morgue without first reporting to the Police. The mortuary attendants also have a case to answer.”

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