Metro

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

Published

4 months ago

March 9, 2025

Editor

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

JUST IN: Gospel Singer Sentenced To Death For Killing Girlfriend

Published

14 minutes ago

June 26, 2025

Editor

The High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has sentenced gospel musician Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, Salome Adaidu.

Justice Simon Aboki on Thursday found Ajayi guilty of culpable homicide after months of trial.

Ajayi was convicted under Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, which prescribes the death penalty for culpable homicide.

“The evidence before the court clearly shows that the accused intentionally caused the death of the deceased. The law is clear on this, and the punishment is death. Therefore, the accused is hereby sentenced to death by hanging,” Justice Aboki ruled.

Adaidu, 24, was a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving at Nicon Insurance in Abuja.

Ajayi was caught with Adaidu’s severed head in January.

He told Channels TV that he did not regret his action. “I killed her because we don’t have each other all the time. It’s not something I planned. It happened on that day and it happened. Not that I have the plan in mind,” Ajayi said.

“She was cheating. She hides most of the things from me most times. I got to know from her phone. I saw her chats with other guys on the phone, that was why I decided.

“I don’t have any regrets because life is reciprocal, that is what I thought. If you must do something to someone, you have to be reciprocal with that person.

“You have to understand what that person is going through so that you can actually put yourself in the position that the person is going through. That is why I don’t have any regrets because we were actually compatible.”

However, the victim’s elder sister, Esther Adaidu, denied that any relationship existed between Adaidu and Ajayi.

Metro

Woman Killed, Five Others Injured In Imo Market Explosion

Published

3 hours ago

June 26, 2025

Editor

A landmine has killed a market woman, Mrs Ngozi Umeh and injured five others after it detonated inside the Eke Ubaheze Market Square, Awo-Idemili in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.

The explosion occurred at 2:40 pm on Tuesday while trading activities were going on at the market, killing one woman, Mrs Ngozi Umeh, from Ubaheze village, after she stepped on a planted landmine though locals said it was two people who died from the explosion.

The Imo State police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, explained to The PUNCH, on Wednesday, that the landmine was planted by suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network.

Okoye who confirmed the incident to our correspondent said Mrs Umeh was rushed immediately to the hospital where she gave up the ghost adding that the five injured persons are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

According to him, the state Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, upon receipt of the incident, immediately deployed operatives from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit who swept the area for yet-to-be-identified explosives and after screening, declared the place safe.

Okoye said normal business activities had resumed under increased police surveillance.

He said, “Preliminary investigation revealed that the explosion occurred when Ngozi Umeh ‘F’, a middle-aged woman from Ubaheze village, stepped on a landmine suspected to have been planted by IPOB/ESN terrorist. She was critically injured and later confirmed dead at the hospital, while five others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are receiving medical attention.

“Upon receipt of the distress call, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, Aboki Danjuma, swiftly deployed operatives of the command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, tactical teams, and personnel from Orsu and Orlu Divisions to cordon off the area, evacuate victims, and sweep the market vicinity for any other planted IEDs. The area has since been declared safe, and normal activities have resumed under enhanced security surveillance.”

Meanwhile, the Imo police boss, Danjuma, has commiserated with the family of Mrs Umeh and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured victims.

He however restated the commitment of the Imo State Police Command to weed out all criminals threatening the peace of Orsu and Imo State as a whole.

The police spokesperson assured the state that adequate security measures had been put in place against a recurrence adding that they should go about their lawful activities.

Furthermore, he called on Imo people to strongly report any suspicious items, persons, or movements to the nearest police station or via the Command’s emergency number 08034773600.

Also, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department has been directed to commence a comprehensive investigation to unmask and apprehend the perpetrators.

Metro

20 Soldiers, Scores Of Bandits Die In Niger Clash

Published

4 hours ago

June 26, 2025

Editor

We lost 17 men, not 20 —Army

No fewer than 20 soldiers were reportedly killed by bandits, who stormed two military camps in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State on Tuesday while several others were injured.

However, an unspecified number of the bandits were gunned down by the soldiers during the gun battle that ensued.

But the army said 17 soldiers were killed in the encounter.

Seventeen corpses of the soldiers were, however, said to have been recovered from the bush while the search for the recovery of others continues.

This came as the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Christopher Musa, at a different event, said the military was set to deploy over 800 well-trained and combat-ready special forces into operational areas to tackle a myriad of security challenges facing the nation.

Vanguard gathered that the bandits numbering over 200 rode on motorcycles and invaded two military camps in Kwanan Duse and Gulbin Boka communities in Mariga council of the state in the morning.

According to a source from the area, the bandits’ first point of call was the military camp at Kwanan Duse, where they engaged the security men in a fierce gun battle, which lasted for about four hours.

It was gathered that the chairman of the Mariga council, Abbas Adamu, immediately alerted the Military Cantonment in Kontagora for reinforcement, while the gun battle at Kwanan Duse was going on.

In a swift response, the soldiers from Kontagora took off but before their arrival at the Kwanan Dutse camp, the bandits had left for Gulbin Boka camp for another onslaught against the soldiers.

However, the soldiers engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle at Gulbin Boka camp where some of the bandits were felled by the bullets.

Adamu, who confirmed the incident said the gunmen were suspected to have invaded the state from Zamfara, through the Shadadi forest.

He said: “We got the information about their movement and we immediately alerted the Military but we did not actually know where they were heading to.

“Surprisingly, about 9:30a.m., on Tuesday, we learnt they were already attacking the soldiers at Kwanan Duse.

“The bandits did not kidnap anybody but lives were lost, shops looted at Gulbin Boka town while several cattle were rustled from the neighbouring communities.

“From all indications, the aim of the bandits was to dislodge the military from their camps and have unhindered access to some communities in the council because since the soldiers were stationed there, the bandits have been prevented from frequent attacks on the communities.”

Head of vigilante group in the area, Mallam Abubakar Sani also confirmed the incident but could not ascertain the casualty figure on the side of the bandits.

Meanwhile, the military in conjunction with the local vigilante have mobilised to Gulbin Boka forest along Kontagora-Rijau road suspected to be the hideouts of the bandits.

At press time, no official statement has been issued by either the state government or the military.

We lost 17 men —Army

Lieutenant Colonel Apolonia Anele, Acting Director, Army Public Relations in a statement, said that the troops in collaboration with the Air Component of the Nigerian Air Force, engaged bandits numbering over 300 in Kwanar Dutse Forest.

He said: “Sadly 17 brave and gallant soldiers paid the supreme price during the encounter, while 10 others sustained varying degrees of injury.

“The wounded personnel have been evacuated to a military medical facility, where they are receiving treatment and are in stable condition.”

(VANGUARD)