A Rivers State-based vigilance group, ONELGA OSPAC, has reported that its members have arrested three individuals, including two pastors, in connection with the death of a 24-year-old man, Lucky, in the Port Harcourt area of the state. Lucky allegedly died during an operation to remove his hunchback.
An officer with the Planning and Advisory Committee of the security group, codenamed OSPAC, informed Punch that the suspects were apprehended while attempting to flee Port Harcourt. One of the suspects, identified as Olatoye, a 54-year-old pastor from a new generation church in Osiakpo, near Omoku in the state, stated that the victim was handed over to him by his father, Ejike, and Ejike’s younger brother, Pastor Paul.
During interrogation, Olatoye confessed that Lucky was brought to him by the duo for a surgical operation to extract ‘mercury’ from his hunchback. According to Olatoye, “Paul said his brother (Ejike) had a son with a hunchback that he wanted to get rid of. He claimed that the boy was a thief and had other negative traits. He also mentioned that the father had previously attempted to sell the boy, but it was unsuccessful. He asked if I knew anyone who would take him in. I informed him that I would make inquiries.”
The suspect revealed that they agreed to a surgical procedure and contacted an associate in Abeokuta, Ogun State, who pledged to pay N10m for the extracted ‘mercury.’ “The boy in question (Lucky) even pleaded with me to help him remove the hunchback so he could be like a normal human being,” added Olatoye. “I warned him that the procedure might not be successful, but he insisted he would survive it. We agreed on a date to travel for the procedure. The first contact I had was an NGO in Owerri, Imo State, which offered to extract the ‘mercury’ and pay us N5m. I asked about our share, and both Paul and Ejike agreed to the N5m offer. However, the NGO did not show up.”
The suspect further explained that he contacted another individual in Abeokuta, Ogun State, who agreed to pay N10m. The payment, however, would be made in two or three months, which all parties accepted. He mentioned that the victim’s father, Ejike, frequently visited his office and bothered him. “On the day we traveled for the surgery in Lagos before proceeding to Abeokuta, Ejike handed over the boy to me, and Paul gave me N15,000 for transportation. At the hospital, I called the father to sign some documents, but he instructed me to sign on his behalf. The operation took place, but unfortunately, the boy did not survive,” he concluded. Ejike’s brother, Paul, 38, expressed sorrow over the incident but denied any involvement, stating that he solely introduced Olawale to his brother.
The OSPAC Commander, Felix Nwobakata, addressed reporters, declaring that the arrest would discourage anyone attempting to engage in ritual acts. Through his media aide, Obed Douglas, he confirmed the arrest and added that the two pastors and the victim’s father had been detained. He stated, “All three suspects have been handed over to the Assistant Inspector General, Monitoring Unit, Zone 16, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, for further investigation and prosecution.”
The news of Lucky’s tragic death shocked the community and sent shockwaves across the nation. The reports of his father and pastors attempting to remove and sell his hunchback for a hefty sum of N10m exposed the dark underbelly of criminal activities that still persist in some corners of society.
As the investigation unfolded, more disturbing details emerged. It was discovered that Lucky, a disabled young man burdened with a hunchback, had been subjected to mistreatment throughout his life. His father, Ejike, had allegedly tried to sell him before, but luck was not on his side. The desperation to rid himself of his son led him to approach his younger brother, Pastor Paul, who was said to have connections to individuals involved in rituals.
It was Olatoye, the 54-year-old pastor, who presented himself as the solution to their problem. He claimed to have contacts within an NGO in Owerri, Imo State, who could perform the surgery to extract the so-called ‘mercury’ from Lucky’s hunchback. As the plans shifted, Olatoye then reached out to another individual in Abeokuta, Ogun State, who promised a higher payment of N10m. The lure of quick and substantial wealth clouded their judgment, leading them down a path of criminality and tragedy.
The day of the ill-fated surgery arrived, and Olatoye found himself in possession of Lucky, who was hopeful that this procedure would transform his life and help him escape the shackles his hunchback had placed upon him. Little did he know that his fate had already been sealed by the greed and callousness of those around him.
At the hospital, Olatoye made a distressing call to Lucky’s father, Ejike, asking him to come and sign some documents related to the surgery. But, instead of showing concern or empathy for his son’s wellbeing, Ejike coldly instructed Olatoye to forge his signature. It was a clear indication of the disregard they had for Lucky’s life, treating him as nothing more than a commodity to be exploited for financial gain.
Tragically, the surgery ended in disaster, and Lucky did not survive the ordeal. His dreams of living a life free from the burden of his hunchback were shattered, and his young life was needlessly extinguished. The very people who should have protected and loved him, his family and pastors, were the ones responsible for his untimely demise.
As news spread about this shocking incident, the ONELGA OSPAC vigilance group swiftly took action, apprehending all three suspects involved. OSPAC Commander Felix Nwobakata, determined to send a strong message that such heinous acts would not be tolerated, ensured that the suspects were handed over to the authorities for further investigation and prosecution.
The tragic death of Lucky highlights the importance of community vigilance and the need to eradicate the age-old belief in ritual practices that promote violence and exploitation. It serves as a reminder that no individual should ever be treated as a means to enrich oneself, nor should any life be taken in pursuit of personal gain.
For Lucky, justice may come in the form of the perpetrators facing the full force of the law. Meanwhile, the community mourns the loss of a young life and hopes that the story of his tragic demise will serve as a wake-up call against the despicable acts of exploitation and violence that persist within society.
