The decomposing body of an 18-month-old boy, missing for two weeks, was discovered on Saturday morning at the edge of a garden, near his home. The child’s body, missing internal organs and private parts, was found at Odyek Camoaor village, Adolo Parish.
The child, belonging to Joshua Okeng, 26, and Jennifer Okeng, went missing on December 22, 2023. The Chairperson LC3 of Awiodyek sub-county, Gilbert Okwir, explained that despite a frantic search, the child remained unlocated until a person harvesting maize crops in a rented garden noticed a swarm of flies at the edge, revealing the decomposing body.
Law enforcement, responding to the scene with a sniffer dog, arrested three individuals—Michael Okello, 70, Jimmy Ecel, and Fred Otile, all in their 40s—to assist in the investigation. Vincent Ayo, the child’s grandfather, disclosed that those arrested were close relatives involved in a prolonged land dispute.
Ayo recounted that on the morning of December 22, 2023, the child was left home by the mother. Later, the mother found the child in a neighbor’s house. Subsequently, a house in the neighborhood caught fire, and the mother went to help, leaving the child behind. Upon her return, the child was missing. A missing person case was reported to Majan Police Station.
The Police, utilizing a sniffer dog, led investigators to the homes of the suspects. Ayo expressed dissatisfaction with the Police for not opening a padlocked room despite the dog indicating interest in it. He voiced suspicions that the child might have been killed in that room.
Chairperson Okwir strongly condemned the act of human sacrifice, urging a stop to such backward practices. He called for a thorough investigation into the incident. The child’s grandfather echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for a proper inquiry.
As of now, the North Kyoga Region Police spokesperson, Patrick Jimmy Okema, has not received a formal report on the incident. Investigations into this tragic case are ongoing.
