Nagaland Basketball Player Murder Case: Uncle Arrested
Confession ends 10-day manhunt in the brutal killing of 22-year-old athlete Vihozhonu Zao.
The Kohima Police reported they have cracked the murder case of 22-year-old National-level basketball player Vihozhonu Zao, whose killing on October 25 shocked Nagaland’s capital and sparked widespread outrage.
During a press conference on October 5, Kohima Superintendent of Police (SP) Krodi Rhetso confirmed that the prime accused, Samuel Zao (31), the victim’s uncle, has confessed to the crime. He was arrested on Tuesday.
Investigation That Gripped Nagaland
SP Rhetso recounted that on the morning of October 25, residents of Kohima awoke to news of the brutal murder of basketball player Zao.
Addressing a press conference, SP Rhetso said that upon receiving the call, they immediately dispatched officers from the South Police Station, secured the area, and began an investigation.
Following a complaint filed by another paternal uncle, Vekethozo Zao, a case was registered under Sections 101/103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 at the Kohima Women Police Station (Case No. 0017/2025). Given the complexity of what police called a “blind case,” a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was put together on October 26 under Additional SP K. Soriso, comprising eight members.
After nearly a week of investigation, the SIT identified Samuel Zao, son of Holto Zao of Jakhama village, as the prime suspect.
NBA Condemns Alleged Murder of Nagaland Basketball Player
KOHIMA, October 27: The basketball community in Nagaland has been left in shock following the tragic death of Vihozhonu Zao. A rising women’s basketball player in her early twenties, Zao’s body was found under suspicious circumstances on October 25, 2025, near her residence in Old Ministers’ Hill Colony in Kohima.
During interrogation, Zao confessed to killing his niece. According to his statement, around 2 p.m. on the day of the incident, he asked Vihozhonu to prepare tea. When she replied dismissively while occupied with her phone, he allegedly became enraged and struck her on the head with a piece of firewood, killing her instantly.
Police said the accused then attempted to clean up the crime scene, covering her head with a sweater, switching off her phone, removing the SIM card, and later disposing of the broken handset. He allegedly hid the body in his room before dumping it near a ring well in the basement.
The SP said the investigation is ongoing and a chargesheet will be filed once all procedures are completed. For now, the police have ruled out sexual assault but are still probing the motive.
The Kohima Police also thanked the public for their cooperation, stating that it enabled the team to conduct the investigation without external pressure.
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