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.
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“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.
Crime
Anambra Police Debunk Involvement In Death Of Suspect
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Anambra Police Command has debunked the allegation that it’s officers and men had hand in the mysterious death of one Mr Paul Onwualu at Npkor in Idemili North local government area.
The Police which confirmed the arrest of the suspect however explained that preliminary investigations has so far shown that there complications in the health status of the deceased leading to his demise .
SP Tochukwu Ikenga ,who is the Public Relations Officer of the Command stated in a release that ;
“The Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform the public that it has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate death of the late Mr Paul Onwualu in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State”
“Preliminary information available to the Command reveals that the officers allegedly involved in the arrest before the sudden complication of the deceased’s health, which later led to his death, have been identified, but are not operatives attached to the Anambra State Police Command”
“The Command assures Ndi Anambra and members of the public that the matter is being handled with the seriousness it deserves to ascertain the facts surrounding the unfortunate incident”
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc mnips PhD, urges residents to remain calm and allow the ongoing investigation to run its course, while reaffirming the Command’s commitment to transparency, professionalism, and the protection of lives and property.” he said.
Crime
Woman Beats Stepdaughter to Death in Enugu
Neighbours reported that the event allegedly occurred around 3pm on Sunday, noting that the late Miss Amanda had been a victim of constant and ruthless maltreatment at the hands of her stepmother.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Enugu State, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, has expressed the state government’s anger over the incident, saying it would not relent until justice is done.
“It is on record that the Governor Peter Mbah Administration has zero tolerance for any form of child abuse, let alone child homicide. So, we swung into action on learning about this tragedy to ensure that the suspect was arrested.
“But it doesn’t end there. We will be pressing for thorough and expedited investigation to ensure that justice is not just done, but done really fast.
“Nobody should take another’s life and certainly not the life of any child in Enugu State. We condemn it in totality,” she stated.
Crime
Fake Pastors Arrested in Anambra as Soludo Begins Crackdown
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
As suspected fake native doctors continue to face the long arm of the law in Anambra State, the government has now commenced a crackdown on alleged fake pastors who preach salvation without the gospel.
Already, scores of suspected fake pastors are reportedly in custody, with some said to have confessed to deceiving unsuspecting members of the public.
Governor Charles Soludo disclosed this during this year’s All Knights Day celebration held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, the governor said:
“The Governor also revealed an ongoing crackdown on fake pastors who exploit the vulnerable by preaching a gospel of ‘salvation without the cross,’ confirming that several are already in custody and confessing.”
He emphasized that a “New Anambra” is emerging and must be rid of deception and criminality, while reinforcing the church’s teaching that hard work remains the pathway to success.
The statement further read:
“In a firm demonstration of fiscal discipline, Governor Soludo granted a request from the Knights to support their charity visits to orphanages but declined a request for public funds to sew uniforms, stating he would not deploy state resources for private institutional regalia.”
The governor also urged the Knights to remain “the light of the world and the salt of the earth” by living according to principles rather than titles.
The event featured a Pontifical Mass celebrated by the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Paulinus Ezeokafor, while the homily was delivered by the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Fr. Evaristus Iheanacho.
In his sermon, Iheanacho reflected on the work of the Holy Spirit, describing knighthood as a process of “sober reflection, stock-taking, and reckoning” guided by strict tenets and discipline.
He reminded the Knights that true love for Christ is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments, discipline, humility, and courage.
The cleric also cautioned against elitist isolation, urging the Knights to remain connected with the people and preserve their human face and prophetic voice within the community.
Crime
Anambra Police Burst Gunmen Armoury in Orumba
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The Violent Crime Response Unit of the Anambra State Police Command has uncovered and destroyed an armoury belonging to suspected separatist gunmen at Owerre-Ezukala in Orumba South Local Government Area.
The operation, led by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Orebe Chidubem Matthew, followed intelligence obtained from a member of the gang currently in police custody.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the police disclosed that the camp had previously been dislodged by a Joint Task Force on security operations. However, some members of the gang who escaped during the earlier raid reportedly regrouped and attempted to resume operations.
According to the statement, items recovered from the armoury include one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) with about 2,000 rounds of live chain ammunition, two fabricated rocket launchers with 25 propellers, 10 locally-made Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), one locally-made Beretta pistol, two pump-action guns, three hand grenades, 10 rounds of K2 live ammunition, one gas cylinder, and one black Ecolac box.
“Recall that the camp was earlier destroyed by a Joint Security Team. Before the confession by the suspect in custody, intelligence had been received over time on how some escaped gang members were attempting to regroup. However, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit resisted and dismantled the camp following a gun duel with the unrepentant members,” the statement read.
The police further stated that some of the armed suspects fled the scene with varying degrees of bullet injuries sustained during the exchange of gunfire.
Further investigations revealed that the suspect in custody confessed to involvement in several violent attacks across Anambra State, including attacks on police facilities, the killing of security personnel comprising police, military, and civil defence officers, attacks on government facilities, and the murder of security operatives on stop-and-search duties on various roads in the state.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, noted that with the establishment of the Violent Crime Response Unit, operatives of the command are now better positioned and more motivated to sustain offensive operations against criminal elements threatening the peace and security of the state.
Crime
Enugu Assembly Orders Salary Suspension Over Alleged Land Fraud
The Enugu State House of Assembly has ordered the immediate suspension of the salary of Dr. Kate Okolo, a staff member of the Enugu State College of Education, over her alleged involvement in a controversial land deal.
The directive was issued on Tuesday in Enugu by the Chairman of the House Special Committee on Land Conflicts, Mr. Okey Mbah, as part of an ongoing investigation into a decade-long land fraud.
Mbah emphasized that the suspension is not a witch-hunt but a clear signal that the era of impunity in land administration in the state is over.
The committee, currently probing petitions from staff of the institution and members of the public, accused key figures in the Women in College of Education Organisation (WICE) of engaging in land racketeering and fraudulent sales.
According to petitioners, the scheme—introduced between 2009 and 2011 under the leadership of the late Mrs. Ugoma Ndubisi and Dr. Okolo—encouraged individuals to market plots of land known as “WICE Land” to colleagues, friends, and family members.
One victim, who pleaded anonymity, told lawmakers they invested in the scheme because it was presented as a credible internal arrangement.
“We paid in full and have receipts, but for over 13 years, we have not been allocated any land,” the petitioner said.
Testimonies further revealed that the situation worsened following the death of Mrs. Ndubisi, with allegations that Dr. Okolo altered the original terms of the transactions.
“She changed the name from Ukano to Ukano Bold, increased the prices, reduced plot sizes, and claimed that many of us did not pay.
“We are now being asked to pay again for land we already purchased.
“All we want is either our land or our money back,” another petitioner stated.
In response, Mbah assured the petitioners that the Assembly remains committed to ensuring justice.
“We have listened to your grievances, and this committee will see this matter through to a logical conclusion.
“No one found culpable will be shielded,” he said.
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