Tragedy Unfolds Over Farmland Dispute in Abia: Man Kills Uncle and Machetes Another
Emamuzo Iboma
A tragic incident occurred in the Obingwa area near Aba, Abia State, on Friday when a family dispute over farmland escalated into violence, resulting in the death of one individual.
The victim, identified only as Obinna, hailing from Ekwerazu Ngwa in the Obingwa Council Area, was reportedly attacked by a relative, Omerenma Ezekiel. The altercation turned deadly when Ezekiel allegedly struck Obinna with a machete, causing severe injuries that led to significant blood loss and, ultimately, his death.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this shocking event, questions linger about the circumstances that led to such a violent outburst within a family.
According to close village sources, Obinna’s younger brother, whose name could not be ascertained at the time of this report, was also macheted in the head during the scuffle.
It was gathered that Omerenma Ezekiel, who resides in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was called home by his mother, who complained of encroachment into her portion of the family land by the deceased, leading her son to hastily return armed with a sharpened matchet.
An eyewitness who refused to be named said tension got heightened when, on seeing Obinna within the farm area, the woman held him by his clothes and began shouting and calling on her sons to come and avenge her for what she said was injustice done to her by taking part of her farmland.
On hearing their mother, Omerenma and one of his brothers rushed out and in an ensuing fight, cut Obinna’s hand with the machete, leaving it almost severed.
The deceased was confirmed dead at a nearby hospital, while his younger brother suffered a head injury. The alleged suspect, Omerenma, later ran away and has not been found.
The state police spokesperson, Maureen Chinaka, a deputy superintendent of police, has yet to comment on the incident. However, a senior police source from Eastern Ngwa division, said a report had been made while efforts were on to commence a preliminary investigation into the killing.
