Tragedy struck over the weekend as a 48-year-old man, Stephen Nnadiogo of Awada Obosi, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, went berserk, killing his four children and his sister-in-law before taking his own life, following squabble over the children’s paternity.
However, his wife was said to be away when tragedy struck.
Residents of Awada Obosi disclosed that there had been a lingering quarrel between the couple over paternity of the children.
Late Nnadiogo, as gathered, returned from abroad after serving his jail term over an undisclosed offence and was said to be undergoing treatment in a psychiatric home in Obosi.
A relative, who gave his name as Bernard, said: “While he was in prison abroad, his wife’s family rented a flat for her and the children. On his arrival, he joined them there, feeling frustrated.
“Since he returned, it has been one trouble after another, with him accusing the woman of cheating on him while he was away. Out of annoyance, his wife Chika, would admit to the claim, saying he should go and do his worst.”
However, while his wife went to her patent medicine store, Nzube, as he was fondly called, was reportedly sighted with a cutlass.
He sent their maid on an errand before he hacked the children, aged two, six, eight and 10 to death. Not done, he reportedly went after his sister-in-law, who lived with them and meted same fate on her.
Thereafter, he was said to have written a letter, which he addressed to the Police, to admit culpability before drinking a liquid poisonous substance.
The househelp later arrived, saw the carnage, screamed and fled to her boss’ store to inform her of the disaster, who then reported the incident to the Police.
The corpses, according to the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nkiru Nwode, have been deposited at the morgue.
He confirmed that Nnadiogo just returned from Arochukwu in Imo State, where he often went for psychiatric treatment.
She said some unidentified substances were found close to where his dead body was discovered, adding, however, that nothing could be ascertained until autopsy was concluded.
“Their corpses had been deposited in the mortuary, while investigation into matter is ongoing,” she added.
