Japa: Nigerian dies during ritual for “fortification” in grave

Chikwado Eze, a businessman based in Onitsha, lost his life during a ritual in Inyi, a community within the Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Eze, a native of the Ugbaike community, had recently obtained a visa for an overseas business venture and sought the assistance of a native doctor for spiritual fortification to ensure success.

The native doctor prescribed a bizarre ritual that involved burying Eze alive for one and a half hours.

On the day of the ritual, Eze was buried in a grave as instructed, accompanied by his father, Uwakwe. 

However, when he was exhumed, he appeared weak and drenched in sweat instead of experiencing the intended fortification.

Despite the native doctor's efforts to revive him through incantations, Eze did not respond. 

He was quickly rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Following the incident, both Uwakwe and the native doctor have been taken into custody by the police for questioning. 

Uwakwe, who had previously been ostracized by the Ugbaike community for his involvement in dangerous charms, denied forcing his son into the ritual, claiming that Eze had made all the arrangements prior to inviting him to participate.