Residents of Umuahia have been left stunned after police reportedly arrested a barber identified simply as Emeka following the discovery of a clay pot containing human hair and other suspected fetish items in his room.

The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday after a neighbour, Mr Johnson Ikenga, alerted the police to an alleged threat from the barber.

Following the complaint, police officers reportedly moved in to arrest Emeka and searched his one-room apartment. It was during the search that investigators allegedly discovered a clay pot filled with human hair, along with other items suspected of being connected to ritual practices.

According to the report, Emeka admitted that the pot belonged to him when questioned by the police. However, he allegedly could not provide a satisfactory explanation for what the contents were being used for or how he came into possession of the human hair.

The discovery immediately sparked alarm in the community, with residents raising questions over whether the hair could have been collected from customers who patronised the barber for haircuts.

However, there is currently no official confirmation that the hair found in the apartment belonged to any of Emeka’s customers, and the exact source and intended use of the hair remain subjects of police investigation.

The suspect was reportedly taken to the Central Police Station, Umuahia, where detectives are said to have commenced further investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the discovery.

The incident has generated concern among residents, particularly because of the sensitive nature of the items allegedly recovered from the suspect’s apartment.

As of the time of this report, the Abia State Police Command had not issued an official statement confirming the details of the arrest or the recovered items.

Authorities are expected to determine, through investigation, where the human hair came from, why it was kept and whether the suspect has any connection to criminal or ritual activity.

The development has continued to attract attention in Umuahia as residents await an official account from the police.