The three siblings who were brutally murdered and found inside a freezer in their home in Nnewichi, Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, will be laid to rest on Saturday, March 8, their family has announced.
The children—nine-year-old Chikaima Daviana Ejezie, five-year-old Chimdirim David Ejezie, and eight-year-old Chimziterem Dominica Ejezie—were reportedly killed by yet-to-be-identified persons on Saturday, February 1, while they were home alone. Their mother, Mrs. Chikazor Ejezie, a lecturer and nurse, was away for an examination at the time of the incident.
According to reports, the assailants invaded the home, killed the three children, and placed their bodies inside a deep freezer.
While no arrests have been made, and the killers remain at large, the result of the autopsy conducted on the victims is yet to be released.
In a burial announcement signed by their father, Mr. Udochukwu Ejezie, on Sunday, he outlined the funeral arrangements, beginning with a vigil mass on Thursday, March 6, at St. Anslem’s Catholic Parish in Irrua, Edo State, and St. Luke’s Catholic Chaplaincy at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, by 5 p.m.
Another vigil mass will be held on Friday, March 7, at the Ejezie family compound in Umueze Uga, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, at 4 p.m.
The burial announcement reads in part:
“The Ejezie family of Umuokwara Umucheke Umueze Uga in Aguata LGA of Anambra State and the entire Catholic community of St. Michael’s Parish Umueze Uga, St. Luke’s Catholic Chaplaincy, NAUTH, Nnewi, St. Anslem’s Catholic Parish, Irrua Edo State, wish to announce the gruesome murder/burial of their three siblings and Martyrs who were murdered and stacked inside a deep freezer by a yet-to-be-identified person.”
The burial mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, at the Ejezie family compound, after which the children will be laid to rest. A Thanksgiving mass will follow on Sunday, March 9, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Umueze, Uga.
Addressing misinformation circulating on social media, Mr. Udochukwu Ejezie clarified that his children had not been buried earlier, contrary to some reports.
“We requested permission to bury the children, and the police have given the family the go-ahead, just as the result of the autopsy is being awaited. But sadly, reports have been making the rounds on social media that they were already buried. That is not true,” he stated.
He urged the public to “exercise caution and respect the wishes of the family as we mourn our dead.”
Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said,
“We await the autopsy result, but for now, no new development except that the family has requested to be allowed to bury the children. The Command has also granted their request, noting the fact that it further helps to relieve the pain in their hearts.”