Tragedy unfolded in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, on Thursday as a 39-year-old pregnant woman, Esther Enemo, was allegedly killed by her brother-in-law in a suspected ritual case.
The shocking incident reportedly occurred at her Temidire Zone 4 residence in the Egbejila area of Ilorin.
A neighbour disclosed that Esther, who was alone at home on Wednesday night, was discovered gruesomely murdered the following morning.
Speaking anonymously, the neighbour explained that the Enemos were not well-known in the area, stating: “They are Igbos. We don’t really know them in particular or their occupation. They usually come home at night, and sometimes, it was only through the rays of light that we will know that they are around. They don’t really live here.”
The neighbour further recounted how her husband, while fetching water, encountered a masked man leaving the compound on the night of the incident.
“He challenged the man and the man removed his mask, identifying himself as Esther’s husband’s younger brother. He locked the door from outside and left. It was then my husband realized something was wrong. A woman had been in the building, but a man left. He called out to the woman from the window, but there was no response. Moments later, we discovered traces of blood in the compound. That was when we raised an alarm,” she narrated.
The victim’s husband, Mr. Ekene Enemo, a trader of agricultural chemicals and equipment in a Kwara North border town, was away when the tragedy occurred.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Kwara State Police Command spokesperson, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, detectives discovered Esther’s dismembered remains dumped in a bush behind her home, while other body parts were later found in a sack beneath a nearby community bridge.
Ejire-Adeyemi confirmed the arrest of Mr. Sylvester Enemo, 29, the younger brother of the victim’s husband, who was allegedly seen leaving the house moments before the incident was uncovered.
The statement read:
“The Kwara State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public of a tragic incident that occurred in the early hours of Thursday, 21st August 2025, at Temidire community, Egbejila road, Ilorin.
“At about 0900hrs, a resident of the area, reported a suspected foul play within the residence of one Mr. Ekene Enemo. Following a swift police response, a team of detectives visited the scene, where the dismembered body of Mrs. Esther Enemo (aged 39 years) was discovered in the bush behind her residence. Further search led to the recovery of other parts of her body concealed in a sack and dumped beneath a nearby community bridge.
“A suspect, one Mr. Sylvester Enemo (aged 29 years), younger brother to the victim’s husband, who was seen leaving the house a few minutes before the discovery of the incident, has been arrested in connection with the crime. In contrast, the husband, Mr. Ekene Enemo, has also been contacted for necessary clarification. The remains of the deceased have been evacuated and deposited at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) morgue for autopsy.
“The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP Ojo Adekimi, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter, assuring that the Command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is served.
“While the Command deeply regrets the unfortunate incident, we appeal to members of the public to remain calm and avoid speculations capable of inciting fear or tension within the community. The Police are fully committed to unravelling the circumstances surrounding this incident and bringing all perpetrators to face the full weight of the law.
“The Command also reassures citizens that adequate security strategies have been reinforced across the state to safeguard lives and property. We urge residents to continue to cooperate with the Police by providing useful information that can aid ongoing investigations and security operations.
“The Kwara State Police Command remains steadfast in its resolve to protect all residents and ensure peace prevails in our communities.”
