Enugu State is outraged over the discovery of gruesome photographs of dead people buried in shallow graves along the Enugu Port-Harcourt Expressway on Monday evening.
The tragedy that took place in the Ugwuaji region of the state has left villagers in tears.
The bodies were completely encased in concrete and buried within the foundation of a building believed to be a church under construction.
Construction of the structure, whose owner could not be determined immediately, reportedly began lately and had reached the foundation stage prior to the gruesome discovery on Monday.
Unconfirmed rumours claim that one of the workers at the construction site informed security personnel about the heinous conduct after learning that the deceased had been buried inside the foundation before it was poured.
According to reports, police officers deployed several labourers who excavated the foundation and discovered the bodies after getting the tip.
The finding drew a large number of pedestrians and drivers to the spot.
They voiced outrage at the finding and demanded that security officers do all in their power to apprehend the offenders, whom they believed to be ritualists.
Some neighbourhood neighbours said that the structure thought to be a projected place of worship belonged to a ritualist posing as a man of God.
Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, spokesman for the State Police, verified the claim, stating that the bodies were discovered from the spot following a tip.
"According to reports, three decomposing remains have been discovered, and a full-scale inquiry has been launched to uncover the circumstances behind the occurrence," he stated.
Fear has seized residents of Ugwuaji amidst reports that security personnel had taken action against the ritualist and his accomplices who slaughtered and buried the victims.
One witness characterised the event as "the most evil and cruel deed I have ever witnessed in my whole life."
"I was travelling when I noticed the gathering and was forced to stop. This represents the height of evil. Fingers are being pointed at a certain new church along that route; I do not know who is responsible, but I can assure you that the wicked will always be punished.
"People no longer value human beings; it is heartbreaking that this was done for whatever reason," he lamented.
