‘Mentally Ill Mother, Daughter’ Kill Grandmother

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a woman, Loretta Asadu, and her daughter, Chikamso, for the gruesome murder of their 70-year-old grandmother, Mama Oliver, in the Ezema Nru area of Nsukka Local Government Area.

The victim, a septuagenarian who reportedly relocated from Umabor-Ehalumona to stay with her daughter to help manage her mental health challenges, met a violent end on Tuesday when the very people she was nursing turned on her.

Eyewitnesses said that the tragedy unfolded after the elderly woman complained of hunger. Loretta’s son, identified as Abumchukwu, had reportedly stepped out to buy food for his grandmother.

Before leaving the house, Abumchukwu was said to have tied his mother’s hands as she was becoming increasingly violent. However, while he was away, his sister, Chikamso, who is also reportedly battling mental instability, untied their mother.

“Both of them pounced on the aged woman, dragged her behind the house, and hacked her to death with a machete and an axe,” a neighbour who witnessed the aftermath told journalists.

“They were shouting and accusing her of stealing their money.”

The scene was described as horrific by residents who rushed to the house after hearing the commotion. One resident, identified as Ifeanyi, broke down in tears while describing the state of the victim’s remains.

“It is true. I have been crying. Loretta has some mental problems and was even said to have kidney issues before. They butchered the woman’s head. The deceased was a very peaceful person,” Ifeanyi said.

The victim’s body has since been evacuated and deposited at a mortuary in Nsukka.

The state hosts the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Enugu, along with specialised units at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, and the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUT-TH), Parklane.

However, it was learnt that the family chose to manage the condition at home with the help of the aged grandmother.

The Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the incident on Wednesday evening.

In a brief statement, Ndukwe said, “The suspects have been arrested and investigation is ongoing, please.”

The incident has sparked outrage and conversation in the Nsukka community regarding the heavy burden placed on elderly relatives caring for the mentally ill without professional medical intervention.