Crime
Land Dispute: 7 alleged missing in Anambra Community, it’s not true -Edison Motors
By Okey Maduforo Awka
There is growing tension in Ihiala community of Ihiala local government area of Anambra State the alleged missing of seven persons following land dispute between the family of Martins Okolie of Umuezehi and Edwin Obi, the owner of Edison Motors even as the later described the allegation as tissue of lies.
According to a petition signed by the family of Okolie against Chief Edwin Obi, the owner of Edison Motors which was sent to Anambra State Police Command, the family accused the transporter of being responsible for the disappearance of their kinsmen over land dispute.
“A former chairman of Ihiala local government area, who’s from the community, Chief Jude Obi, was kidnapped over two years ago and his whereabouts unknown since then. Few months ago, a prominent member of the community, Mr Stephen Nneji, was abducted and released after some ransom was allegedly paid. Nneji has fled the community with members of his family.
The family further accused Obi of using men of Anambra state police Command, purportedly from the IGP Monitoring Squad to abduct some members of the community intimidating and harassing others, including their patriarch, Martins Okolie, who is the most senior member of Umuezehi clan.
According to the petitioner, Obi had allegedly bought a land from a member of the kindred, but some members had disputed the sales, saying that it’s a family land, which was not supposed to have been sold by one person.
“When the issue became contentious and to avoid a breakdown of law and order, the kindred decided to refer the matter to the head (okpara) for adjudication, the petitioner said.
“The case arose over a land dispute between family members of Ogumorobi, One of the family members was said to have sold a land to Chief Edwin Obi, the Owner of Edison Motors, with Mr. Kevin Okolie as the agent. However one family members was said to have objected to the sales, asserting that the land is a family land, which should not be disposed of by one persons.
,
“The aggrieved side of the family brought the matter to the family for dispute resolution as it has always been the custom and tradition of the people of Umuejimike, in Akwa Ihiala,”
“When the family could not resolve the matter amongst themselves, the case was referred to the head (Okpara) of the community, being Evangelist Martins Okolie”
“A meeting was called by the family head so as to look into the matter, following which some recommendations where reached, it would be note worthy that the other party refused to attend the meeting so as to resolve the dispute.”
However, the petitioner said that in the early hours of Wednesday, March 6, some hooded armed men stormed the community, and when they couldn’t break into the house of the head of the family, they proceeded to other houses where some men and women were abducted.
“It’s worthy of note that the head of the family wasn’t privy to the sales, nor did he, in any way benefit therefrom. He was only asked to adjudicate on the matter by leaders of the kindred.”
As of this time the whereabouts of more than seven persons both men and women picked up since Thursday night 6th march are unknown. The said Kevin Okolie is said to be bragging that on this matter he is going to make sure that more persons disappear from the village. Is either he is being used as a smoke screen for the purchaser of the land or he is acting alone.
But when contacted the owner of Edison Motors Chief Edwin Obi dismissed those allegations adding that the petitioners are running from the law because they are not innocent of the allegation leveled against them.
Edwin Obi Said he duly bought land from the family and all necessary documents signed before Chief Martin’s Okolie came into the picture.
” He is forming illegal court in his house, adjudicating on land matters. He’s not the owner of the land and the land sold is not a communal land but I bought directly from the family and his grouse was that the family sold the land to an outsider according to him.
He has no title on the land but he is just a land speculator and he is the one who is trying to intimidate me and I had to report the matter to the police and when police invited them, he started running.
He has been advised to stay away from the land because he has no title on the land and therefore should not meddle into the land. He has been at large and has been running away from the police since invitation was extended to him by the police and others earlier arrested by the police have all be released on bail except him who is running from police invitation.
The Nigeria Police Force has placed its formations nationwide on red alert following intelligence reports of planned terrorist attacks on worship centres, schools, NYSC orientation camps and other public places.
The alert followed fresh intelligence indicating increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks on vulnerable targets across the country.
Police authorities also reportedly received intelligence on the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.
The operational order was contained in a police wireless message dated September 13, 2026, with reference number CB: 0900/FDPS/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL38/68, issued by the Department of Operations at Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Marked “Security General” and tagged “Treat as Very Important,” the message was circulated to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police overseeing Zones 1–17, Mobile Police formations, counter-terrorism and other specialised units, as well as Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The police directed formations to intensify vigilance and take proactive measures to prevent criminal and terrorist elements from carrying out attacks.
The warning specifically highlighted places of worship, educational institutions, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable public locations as potential targets.
A 16-year-old boy, Favour Ayogu, who was allegedly abducted in Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, has been rescued in Onitsha, Anambra State, after his abductors reportedly abandoned him near a security checkpoint.
Ayogu was rescued on the evening of September 13, 2026, by a joint security patrol team operating along Oguta Road, Onitsha.
According to the Anambra State Police Command, the teenager was found at Ekene Junction after unidentified persons reportedly pushed him out of a black Toyota Highlander SUV close to a security checkpoint.
The patrol team immediately intervened and rescued the victim, thereby preventing what the police described as further danger to his life.
Following the rescue, the Command said it had intensified surveillance and intelligence-led operations to identify and apprehend members of the suspected criminal gang responsible for the abduction.
The police also appealed to residents of Igboeze South and Ibagwa-Aka in Enugu State who may have useful information about Ayogu or his family to contact the nearest police station or the Anambra State Police Command in Awka.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the security personnel involved in the rescue and directed officers to sustain strategic checkpoints, intelligence-led patrols and coordinated security operations across the state.
The Command assured residents and visitors that it would continue to intensify efforts to prevent criminal elements from using Anambra as a safe haven.
At least nine passengers have been killed after gunmen opened fire on a commercial bus at Dungus Junction in Kuru community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack reportedly occurred around 9:40 p.m. when the bus, which was travelling towards Jos, stopped at the junction to drop off some passengers.
Several other passengers were reportedly injured in the attack and rushed to hospitals for treatment.
Lawan Suleiman, a neighbour and teacher of one of the victims, identified the driver as Ibrahim and said three of the victims were from his community in Bukuru.
“The driver is Ibrahim and he was my student. Three of them are from our community here in Bukuru. Their bodies have been deposited at the hospital. But relatives are preparing to collect them for burial,” Suleiman said.
The bus was reportedly riddled with bullets, with bloodstains visible inside the vehicle after the attack.
Rwang Tengwong, spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders (BYM), also confirmed the incident, saying the victims were passengers travelling to Jos when the attackers opened fire on the vehicle.
Tengwong said one of those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow.
“The incident happened around 9.40 p.m. The victims were all passengers travelling to Jos when the terrorists opened fire on the vehicle. Among those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow. It is a very sad development and we lament the loss of lives,” he said.
He added that some passengers sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to hospitals, while some of the injured reportedly later died.
The attack has raised fresh concerns over the safety of commuters travelling along the route at night amid continuing security challenges in parts of Plateau State.
As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
The Enugu State Police Command has ordered an investigation into two separate incidents of alleged disruption of political gatherings in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state.
The incidents reportedly occurred on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Ndiuno-Obuoffia community and St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to thoroughly investigate the incidents and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
According to the statement, armed hoodlums allegedly disrupted a National Democratic Congress (NDC) ward meeting at Ndiuno-Obuoffia with sporadic gunshots, leaving two attendees injured.
In a separate incident at St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani, hoodlums allegedly destroyed canopies and chairs arranged for a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally.
The police said operatives were promptly deployed to both locations after receiving reports of the incidents to prevent further breaches of peace and track down the fleeing suspects.
The Command, however, noted that neither of the political gatherings had been formally brought to the attention of the police for security coverage.
CP Giwa reiterated his warning that all political activities in the state must be conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.
He stressed that electoral offences are punishable under the law and warned political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders against violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other acts capable of disrupting public peace or the electoral process.
The Commissioner urged political parties and other stakeholders to notify the police ahead of campaigns, meetings, rallies and other political gatherings to enable the Command to make adequate security arrangements.
He assured residents that the police would continue to maintain a peaceful and secure environment for lawful political activities while dealing decisively with anyone found violating the law.
The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed the death of a man who was allegedly stabbed by a suspected attacker after Friday prayers in Sokoto.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Rufa’i Ahmad, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that the deceased was among those involved in the incident that followed the stabbing of prominent Islamic cleric, Malam Musa Lukuwa.
According to Ahmad, the suspect used a knife to stab Lukuwa in the stomach immediately after the Jumu’at congregation.
He said the suspect was subsequently killed by a mob, while Lukuwa was rushed to Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), where he is receiving treatment.
The PPRO added that no arrest had been made in connection with the incident, saying the situation was under control and urging residents to remain calm and law-abiding.
The incident reportedly followed allegations that Lukuwa made remarks considered blasphemous against Prophet Muhammad, which had generated anger among some Muslim faithful.
A Sokoto-based gangster, Dahiru Maibarewa, had also reportedly threatened to kill Lukuwa over the alleged remarks, while demonstrations had taken place in parts of Sokoto metropolis.
NAN further reported that a coalition of Islamic groups had petitioned the Sokoto State Government and security agencies, calling for action against Lukuwa over remarks they described as capable of provoking violence.
At a September 4 press conference, Islamic cleric Sheikh Abubakar Yagawal urged Muslims to oppose what he described as blasphemous content by clerics, while calling for peaceful coexistence.
Yagawal, Leader of the National Sufi Council of Nigeria and a National Commissioner at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), said Lukuwa’s alleged utterances were unbecoming and capable of triggering violence among Muslim communities.
He said the coalition had called on the Federal and Sokoto State governments, as well as security agencies, to investigate and take appropriate action over the matter.
-
News22 hours agoSept. 26 Polls: ‘ENSIEC is over 90% ready’ – Chairman
-
Politics1 day ago2027: Odii: I’ll Attract ₦2tn Investment to Ebonyi in Six Months
-
News4 days agoFCC Urges Enugu Youths to Prepare for Federal Job Opportunities
-
News21 hours agoCommissioner Dies Suddenly at Abuja Hospital
-
Crime1 day ago
Gunmen Attack Commercial Bus, Kill Nine Passengers
-
Crime2 days agoEnugu Police Probe Alleged Disruption of Political Gatherings, Warn Against Violence
-
News2 days agoHotel Building Collapses in Enugu Kills One, Traps Workers
-
News1 day agoWhy Nigerian Leaders Should Spend Vacations at Home – Ebonyi Reps Candidate