Metro

Man Beaten To Death Over Alleged Plantain, Turkey Theft In Anambra

Published

9 months ago

March 9, 2025

A 26-year-old Chukwuemeka Igwuegbe has been beaten to death for allegedly stealing plantain and turkey in Anambra State.

The incident occurred at Ezinife Village, Okpuno, in Awka South Local Government Area of the state on October 22nd, 2024.

According to the father of the deceased, Mr Gilbert Igwuegbe, who disclosed this to journalists at his residence in Okpuno community on Saturday, he alleged that his son was killed under the directive of the Chairman of Awka South Local Government Area, Hon Prince Chinedu Okafor, over a prolonged land dispute.

He alleged that he was also beaten to stupor while trying to inquire why they were beating his son in his presence.

Moved by the pain and agony he suffered, Mr Igwuegbe, a farmer, petitioned Anambra State Governor Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, his deputy Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Anambra, and the State Commissioner of Police in a petition titled “Petition on the Murder of Chukwuemeka Igwuegbe at Ezinife Village, Okpuno, Anambra State.” The petition named the following individuals: Chukwunoso Benjamin Obidunma (aka Stamina), Obumneme Benjamin Obidunma (aka Ite Igwe), Izuchukwu Obidunma, Obiora Nwoye Obidunma, Mmorah Okeke, Ikechukwu Okeke, and Chinwendu Okoye.

In the petition, his lawyer, Mr Victor Momodu, accused the Chairman of Awka South Local Government Area, Hon Prince Chinedu Okafor, of sending the men who killed his son in front of his farm near his compound.

According to the petition, Mr Igwuegbe was returning from his farm on October 22nd, 2024, when he saw the men in front of his compound beating his son, late Chukwuemeka. When he asked why they were beating his son, one of them, Obumneme Benjamin Obidunma, slapped him and claimed that his son had stolen a turkey and plantains from a farm belonging to one Prince Chinedu Okafor.

The petition further stated that Mr Igwuegbe told them to take his son to the police if he had indeed stolen anything, but instead, they continued to beat him until he lost consciousness.

He demanded that they show what his son had stolen, but they could not provide any evidence.

“After our client’s son became unconscious, one of the boys, named Nonso Obidunma, slapped our client and claimed that his son had stolen a turkey and plantains from Prince Chinedu Okafor’s farm. At this point, our client told them to take his son to the police station, but they instead began to beat him as well and continued to beat his son until he became unconscious. Afterward, one of the boys, Nonso Obidunma, took his phone and made a call, saying they had completed the task. Our client heard the voice of Prince Chinedu Okafor during the call. Then, two security guards arrived, examined our client’s son, and called Prince Okafor to say, ‘The job is perfectly done.’

“In an attempt to save his son, our client took him, boarded a tricycle, and headed to the hospital. Unfortunately, his son stopped breathing on the way and was brought back to his compound. Our client reported the incident to the B Division Police, where he made a report to Officer Osumond, the IPO,” the petition stated.

The petition further claimed that the Igwuegbe family has been constantly threatened and harassed by Prince Chinedu Okafor’s family. The petition states that the named individuals have repeatedly come to the Igwuegbe compound, destroyed his property, chased away tenants, broken his fence, sold his gate, broken his borehole, and stolen household items such as rugs, a TV, a bed, a generator, a decoder, and a set of chairs.

Speaking to journalists, Mr Gilbert Igwuegbe, in tears, said that the family of Chinedu Okafor has been terrorising his family for years over a land dispute. According to him, Prince Chinedu Okafor, the Chairman of Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, sent the men who killed his son under the pretext that his son had stolen plantains and a turkey.

In tears, Mr Igwuegbe said his son was beaten to death in front of his house, and he could do nothing to save him because some people believe he is nobody.

He accused the Okafor family of being responsible for his son’s death, noting that after petitioning the authorities in Abuja, they began to beg for a settlement.

He said, “Prince Chinedu Okafor came here with Pastor Joel Akpata, a lawyer, and another man from Abuja, and we agreed to make peace. I told them that they should bring the killers of my son to beg and admit that they killed him. If those people come to beg me, I will be satisfied, knowing that at least the killers have accepted their actions.”

During the meeting, they said they had heard him and would reach out to him later. After sending two or three people from my family, they promised to return, but until now, they have not. Later, they started asking me to meet the Igwe of the community, but I said, as a monarch, he should know that there was a killing, which he denied. I later went to see him. The Igwe narrated how Okafor Nwaja, who gave my first-generation family this land, and it was my father who gave his father their land.

He also mentioned that his father had begged his father to give his own father part of the remaining land, which he did.

“Recently, however, they have started fighting me over the same land, destroying my property, and carting away my household items. According to him, when the issue of death became serious, the Igwe said he was not aware and advised me to withdraw the case in court so that a settlement could be reached. I told him I could only do that if they signed a document giving up their claim to the land, returning the stolen goods, and compensating for the damages.”

“I told him it was not possible to withdraw my case in court before signing the document to relinquish their claim to the land and property.”

He also said, “It is not about money. He offered me ₦2 million to bury my son, but I told him I cannot accept even ₦100 million because it cannot adequately pay for my son’s death.”

He further stated that after some days, Prince Chinedu Okafor came to his house insulting him and his family, saying he would deal with him and use his biro to chase him out of the village.

He also called him and his children thieves. Mr Igwuegbe replied, “You are the one who is a thief and a criminal. You killed someone at Nnamdi Azikiwe University as the transport director before your father moved you overseas, where you were deported. I also told him that he sold the community’s electricity poles, and the police arrested him. So who is the criminal here?”

Mr Igwuegbe concluded, “I want the governor to assist me in getting their hands off my property because I do not have any other place to go. This is my compound. My father and great-grandfather are buried here, and I was born here 65 years ago. I want the governor to tell Prince Chinedu Okafor, who owns the farm where my son allegedly stole turkey and plantains, to take care of the medical and burial expenses of my son, return all stolen property, and compensate for the damage.”

In his reaction, Prince Chinedu Okafor denied any involvement in the beating or subsequent death of Chukwuemeka Igwuegbe, asserting that he had no reason to be involved.

However, he mentioned that Chukwuemeka Igwuegbe and others had been stealing turkey, plantains, and fish from his farm. “Chukwuemeka Igwuegbe is a criminal who goes from one prison yard to another. You are journalists, go and make your own inquiries about him, and you will see that he is a criminal. I am the Chief Security Officer of Awka South Council Area and I have the police and DSS with me. Why would I send people to kill him?” Okafor asked.

He continued, “I don’t care about the press or what they say. Yes, there was a murder, but the families involved are negotiating how to resolve the issue and bury the deceased.”

Regarding the damage to Igwuegbe’s property, he explained that the land dispute had been ongoing for a long time. He said that they began fighting over the land after discovering that Mr Igwuegbe was planning to sell it.

He noted that Governor Soludo and his deputy, Dr Ibezim, are aware of the case and the developments.
(TRIBUNE)

Metro

Many Dead As Multiple Vehicles Collide On Enugu-Portharcourt Highway

Published

2 hours ago

December 3, 2025

Editor

Multiple vehicles clashed on the Enugu–Portharcourt Expressway on Wednesday, claiming the lives of many near the New Gariki Market.

The collision, which caused panic among traders and passers-by, involved four trailers loaded with cattle and other goods, two commercial buses, two Sienna vehicles, and several smaller cars trapped beneath the fallen articulated trucks.

As of reporting time, the casualty figure remained unknown, but the extent of destruction suggested a significant loss of lives.

Traders from the nearby Gariki Market were seen desperately trying to lift heavy tyres and metal debris to rescue survivors. Many wailed helplessly as they struggled to free trapped victims.

One trader recounted: “People were driving one-way at speed. Before we knew it, trailers and vehicles collided, and everything scattered.” He blamed motorists for driving against traffic on the newly reconstructed lane of the expressway.

The situation escalated until about 20 soldiers arrived in four gun trucks and a Black Maria. They immediately began controlling traffic and creating passage for stranded motorists, as the crash had forced all vehicles onto the only usable lane.

No other authorities were present at the scene, and there has been no official statement regarding the number of casualties or the cause of the accident.

Metro

10 Persons Confirmed Dead In Lokoja–Okene Road Crash, Bandit Attacks

Published

2 hours ago

December 3, 2025

Editor

Kogi State government has confirmed the death of six persons in a road crash along the Lokoja–Okene road.

A statement from the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, on Wednesday night said, “The Kogi State Government regrets to announce a tragic accident involving a bus conveying some of our citizens who were returning from the commemoration of the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities held earlier today at the Government House, Lokoja.

“The unfortunate accident, which occurred along the Lokoja–Okene road, claimed six precious lives. Thirteen others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical attention at different health facilities across the state.”

Fanwo stated that the tragedy has brought profound sorrow to the government and people of Kogi State.

“We mourn deeply with the families of the deceased and extend our heartfelt condolences to them during this painful and devastating moment. The loss of any Kogite is a loss to us all, and we stand in solidarity with the affected families and communities. This is indeed a dark day in our history.”

“His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, has directed that the State Government take full responsibility for the medical care of all injured persons until they fully recover. Government officials have been deployed to the various hospitals to ensure that the victims receive the best possible treatment and to provide support to their families.

“Our hearts are with the families who lost their loved ones, as we consider this a state tragedy of devastating magnitude.

“As we collectively grieve, we ask for prayers for the repose of the souls of the departed and for the quick recovery of the injured. May God grant the bereaved families the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.

In another development, suspected bandits, on Wednesday morning, launched another deadly attack on Irunda Ile in Yagba East LGA of Kogi State, leaving two residents dead, while policemen allegedly killed another two residents in a clash between the police and protesting youths of the community.

The Guardian gathered that when security operatives arrived at the village over the bandits’ attack, the youth leader insisted that the police must enter the bush to pursue the bandits.

A community leader, Bobagunwa of Irunda Isanlu, Chief (Engr) David Oni Sunday, told The Guardian on the phone that there was an attack by bandits, which led to the death of two vigilantes.

He noted that when the police arrived, they were reluctant to chase the bandits, which led to the confrontation with the community youths.

“From there, they mistakenly killed two youths, while others were also hospitalised following the tear gas they received from the police. In all, four people were killed in our village this morning. Two vigilantes were killed by the bandits and two other persons were mistakenly killed by the police,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Security Adviser to Kogi State Government, Commander Jerry Omadora (Rtd), also confirmed the incident to journalists in Lokoja.

He said the bandits invaded the community in the early hours of Wednesday and killed two vigilantes who confronted them during the attack, adding that it was unfortunate that the youths who ought to assist the security agencies in fighting the bandits did something else.

“Security men were drafted to Yagba to chase the bandits away. Even those bandits occupying our mine site have been neutralised by the security men. Kogi State government will not allow any criminals in the state. We are working very hard to see that Kogi State is safe for everyone.

“Some few days ago, a helicopter was drafted to those areas and we recorded major success. The bandits were neutralised by the security men. We are not going to rest until we are able to neutralise the bandits completely,” the Security Adviser stated.

Metro

Why We Killed Ogun FRSC Officer, Daughter — Suspect Manfriend, Herbalists

Published

3 hours ago

December 3, 2025

Editor

Victor Fajemirokun, the manfriend of the late officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Lasisi Funmilayo, and her daughter, Sewa, has explained why he lured the deceased to their death in the hands of some herbalists in Osun State.

Fajemirokun, aged 40 years, was paraded alongside two herbalists, Gboyega Daramola and Sunday James, at the headquarters of the Osun State Police Command in Osogbo on Wednesday.

The Osogbo-based businessman said he lured the deceased from Ogun to Ijebu-Jesa in Osun State, having been told by a Muslim cleric that Funmilayo, relying on spiritual manipulations, had used his glory.

According to The PUNCH, the 39-year-old senior officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Funmilayo, and her daughter, Sewa Lasisi, who were declared missing in Ogun State, were found dead with a mutilated body part at a suspected herbalist’s den in Osun, in what is suspected to be a ritual killing.

Recall that it was reported earlier that 39-year-old Funmilayo and her daughter were reported missing on the morning of Sunday, November 2, after they left their residence at the Obasanjo Hilltop Estate, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, and never returned.

Responding to questions from journalists, Fajemirokun said he was told by a cleric that, as long as Funmilayo was alive, he would not be successful.

Fajemirokun, who said he told his wife in Osogbo that he was going for prayer in Ikoyi, Osun State, admitted inviting Funmilayo from Ogun to Osun because he needed to perform some spiritual cleansing to free himself from the spiritual grip of the deceased.

Fajemirokun said, “I met one Gboyega Daramola on TikTok. The agreement between Funmilayo and me was to go and meet him for spiritual cleansing. So when this man (Gboyega) did a spiritual consultation for me, he said Fumilayo was the one causing misfortune for me. So, he asked me to come with her.

“I went there with Funmilayo to his place at Ijebu-Ijesa. The man told Funmilayo that she had to do some rituals and instructed three men to take her to the bush to perform the rituals. It was in the bush that we killed her. The daughter went to the bush with us.

“After killing them, I ran to a mountain in Ikoyi. It was from there that I went to Ibadan. It was as if I was hypnotised. I never really wanted to do that. So, when we got there, I knew that they were going to kill her. I never knew they harvested their organs. I only heard that on the news, and that was when I decided to come back home.”

Stating the role he played in the incident, one of the two herbalists arrested in connection with the crime, James, said he met the two deceased on November 2, in the house of his boss, Daramola.

“I went to my boss’s house, where I met Victor, a woman, and a young girl. My boss (Daramola) told me that Victor had gone to an alfa before, where he was told that his woman friend had used his glory. So, he was there for them to kill his wife and his child.

“So, my boss ordered me to kill them and threatened me. We took them to a bush where we used a knife to slit their throats. After that, we cut the woman into pieces,” James said.

Daramola, who allegedly gave the order for the killing, however, told PUNCH Metro that it was Fajemirokun who instructed them to kill the deceased, but denied being present when the crime was perpetrated.

Stating the facts of the case, Osun Police Command CP, Gotan, said Fajemirokun was reported missing on November 2 in Ikoyi, where he had gone to a mountain for prayers.

“Subsequently, through intelligence-led investigation and painstaking analysis, on the 16th November, 2025, one Gboyega Daramola ‘m’ a.k.a. ‘Aberefa’ was arrested and confirmed to be an herbalist. During his interrogation, he emphatically confessed that one Fajemirokun Victor ‘m’ was one of his customers, that on the 2nd November, 2025, a woman and her daughter were brought to him by Fajemirokun Victor ‘m’ for a money ritual, and the subject had been killed. He further mentioned one Sunday James ‘m’, one Kehinde, and one Idowu to be part of the killers.

“Furthermore, on Monday, 17th November, 2025, the suspect Gboyega Daramola ‘m’ a.k.a. “Aberefa” led the detectives to Esa-Odo Dam, Osun State, where the body of one Lasisi Funmilayo Oluwamayokun ‘f’ 38yrs was dumped, who happens to be a senior officer of the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) serving in Ogun State.

“Thereafter, it was recovered and deposited at UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital Morgue for autopsy. Meanwhile, some vital parts of the body, such as the head, breast, two hands, private parts, and others were missing,” the CP said.

Also in the course of the investigation, Gotan noted that on November 20, further credible intelligence led to the arrest of one of the principal suspects mentioned by the herbalist, one Sunday James, in Ekiti State, where he was hiding.

“During interrogation, he confessed to being the one who slaughtered both mother and her daughter on the instruction of his boss, herbalist, Gboyega Daramola a.k.a. Aberefa’ while the duo of Kehinde and Idowu were the ones who butchered the body.

“However, the suspect, Sunday James, led the detectives to recover the body of the daughter, Sewa Lasisi, from the bush where she was killed. Likewise, some vital parts of the body, such as the Head, the two hands, and the feet were missing. The remains were also deposited at UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital Morgue.

“However, it was gathered that Fajemirokun Victor, who masterminded the killing, had absconded from being arrested. Through the collaboration with Interpol, Victor Fajemirokun was apprehended in Ghana and repatriated to Nigeria,” Gotan further said.

Assuring that perpetrators of the crime would be taken to court after investigation had been concluded, the CP said efforts would be intensified to arrest others involved in the crime who have not been arrested.
(PUNCH)