Three killed as Anambra communities clash over land

At least three indigenes of Enugwu-Ukwu community were on Monday killed by persons suspected to be members of Nawfia community, over what was suspected to be a land dispute.

Both Enugwu-Ukwu and Nawfia communities are neighbours in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.

A source told DAILY POST that both communities have been having dispute over land, but on Monday, some unidentified indigenes of Nawfia lured some members of Enugwu-Ukwu community through phone call to the disputed land and attacked them, leading to the death of three persons, while many others were wounded and already hospitalized.

Already, leaders and indigenes of Enugwu-Ukwu community have called on the state government to urgently investigate the killing.

Ambassador Elijah Onyeagba, Nigeria’s immediate past Ambassador to Burundi and a cabinet member in the community, said that the whole town was in shock and mourning over the brutal violence meted out to some of their kinsmen.

“It was in the afternoon of Monday, 9th September, 2024, that news went round the community of the killing of some of our brothers.

“It was reported that the men were lured via phone calls to Agu Isionye land belonging to Enugwu-Ukwu and were executed.

“Enugwu-Ukwu is currently deliberating on this. Our President-General has already informed the state government.

“The police authorities at Zone 13, Ukpo, Dunukofia local government have also been informed. Urgent action is required to avert escalation of the crises,” he said.

Meanwhile, police authorities in Anambra State have confirmed the killings, saying it would go after those responsible for the attack.

A press statement by State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam has ordered investigation into the murder.

He said the incident happened at about 2pm on Monday at the boundary between the two communities.

He said: “Preliminary information reveals the victims were lured by some individuals through a phone call to the land in the guise of a land transaction and attacked with guns and matchet.

“CP has sued for calm as police operatives have recovered the abandoned Sienna vehicle used by the murders.

“Also, the testimonies of the injured victims who are currently receiving treatment in the hospital are aiding the investigation while the bodies of the deceased have been deposited in the morgue.”