Tension gripped Umuojor village in Umumba Ndiagu, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, on Wednesday, as native doctors in the region staged a peaceful protest, dissociating themselves from a controversial sorcerer, Levi O. Obieze, popularly known as “Ezeani” and “E de play, e de show.”
The embattled figure is at the centre of shocking allegations of kidnap, ritual killings, and human remains discovered in his residence.
The incident that sparked the outrage occurred on Monday when a young girl was abducted while accompanying her father to the farm. Eyewitnesses said the girl and her father were accosted by two men on a motorcycle pretending to have a mechanical fault.
“One of them asked for my cutlass to fix the bike. As I handed it over, they tricked me into helping push the motorcycle,” the girl’s father told The Whistler. “Suddenly, one of them grabbed my daughter, jumped on the motorcycle, and they sped off.”
The father immediately raised an alarm, prompting members of the community vigilante group to launch a search and rescue operation. The trail led to the compound of the self-styled spiritualist, Ezeani, where vigilantes reportedly heard faint cries from inside.
“When they tried to enter the premises, Ezeani tried to stop them,” said a native of the community who asked not to be named. “They regrouped and forced their way in. Thankfully, they rescued the girl unharmed.”
The discovery that followed stunned the community: two decomposing bodies, including that of a pregnant woman, were found dumped in a soakaway pit within Ezeani’s compound.
“He ran away before the security men arrived,” the source added. “We’re still in shock. Nobody knew what he was doing in that house.”
In response to growing calls for a broader investigation into native doctors in the region, traditional medicine practitioners under the umbrella of the Ezeagu Council of Native Doctors held a protest, denouncing Obieze’s alleged actions and insisting that he is not one of them.
“Ezeani is not a native doctor; he is a ritualist hiding under our name,” one of the protesting practitioners declared in a viral video. “We practice trado-medicine. We treat people, we don’t harm them. We don’t use guns or engage in human rituals. He must be expelled from Ezeagu.”
The protesters carried placards reading “Native Doctors Are Healers, Not Killers” and “Ezeani Is Not One of Us,” as they marched peacefully through key locations in Umumba Ndiagu.
Speaking to THE WHISTLER, a representative of the group, Chief Okenna Mba, reiterated the association’s commitment to lawful and ethical traditional practice.
“We want the public and the government to know that we are not part of this evil. We are registered with the local government and the health authorities. What that man is accused of has no place in our profession,” Mba said.
Efforts to apprehend Obieze are ongoing. When contacted, the spokesperson of the Enugu State Police Command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the incident but declined to provide detailed comments.
“We are aware of the case and investigations are ongoing. A formal statement will be issued soon,” he said.
