A 14-year-old boy on Friday reportedly escaped being killed by his neighbour, who allegedly wanted to use him for ritual purposes at Ubomiri community, in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
It was learnt that the 40-year-old suspect from Anambra State had invited the boy to his apartment within the neighbourhood to help him with an errand.
On getting to the neighbour’s apartment, the unsuspecting victim met him, playing loud music.
However, the neighbour, who had ushered the victim into his apartment, jammed the door, hit him with a machete and wanted to push the 14-year-old into an already dug grave in his apartment.
According to sources, the attacker attempted to chop off the boy’s head when screams from the victim attracted neighbours who broke down the door and rescued him.
Subsequently, the attacker was handed over to the Police, while the boy, who is said to have sustained injuries, was rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.
Confirming the development, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Michael Abattam, said the suspect was under investigation.