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One Killed as Enugu Community Land Dispute Drags on Despite Court Verdict 

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Tension has again erupted in Enugu State as a long‑running land dispute between Etiti Ngwo Community in Udi Local Government Area and their neighbours in Umu-Ugwu Akum Akwuke, Enugu South Local Government Area, claimed another life despite subsisting court judgments.

Residents of Etiti Ngwo accused their rivals of defying multiple court verdicts and violently encroaching on their land, even after both the Appeal Court and Supreme Court affirmed Etiti Ngwo’s ownership of the disputed area.

“They started demolishing our properties despite the judgment”

Speaking to journalists on Monday during a peaceful protest at the Community square, the Chairman of Etiti Ngwo Central Community, Eze Daniel Onyejuwaka, narrated how the crisis escalated after a meeting with the Deputy Governor and Enugu State Boundary Committee on July 10, 2025.

“What actually happened is that on Thursday, July 10, 2025, we went to the office of the Deputy Governor, who is the head of the Boundary Committee of Enugu State, and had a judgment over the dispute we have with the people of Umu-Ugwu Akum Akwuke in the Enugu South Local Government,” Onyejuwaka explained.

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“The Appeal Court gave us judgment, and the Supreme Court also upheld it. They later protested through their legal counsel to the Boundary Committee that we were trespassing. The state government intervened, and that same day, we were given judgment. Surprisingly, from that particular day, they went to the scene and started demolishing all the properties we had there.”

“They laid ambush and killed Sochima in cold blood”

Onyejuwaka said that despite Etiti Ngwo’s decision to remain law‑abiding, the opposing community launched an armed ambush:

“As the last batch of our people were coming back from the site, the people of Umu-Ugwu Akum Akwuke  and their team laid ambush and started shooting. Eventually, they shot one of our brothers, Sochima Onoh, who died in cold blood.”

He accused the Managing Director of Enugu State Geographic Information System (ENGIS), Mr. Chiwetalu Nwatu, of fueling the crisis:

“Despite all the activities of the Deputy Governor to resolve this issue, he went ahead and started reallocating the land or admitting people of Umu‑Ugwu Akum Akwuke, who had already been defeated in court, giving double allocations and things like that. This is where they got the momentum to start attacking us.”

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“We have lost three lives on this land”

The community leader made an emotional appeal:

“We are only using this medium to call on the state government, particularly the Governor of Enugu State, the Attorney‑General of the state, the Attorney‑General of the Federation, and all the judges and lawyers in this country to come to our aid so that the judgment given to us by both the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court can be honoured.”

“This is the third person we are losing in this same land. We have lost the likes of Oliver Onoh, today again it’s Sochima, and particularly, my own father died in the same process. It is so pathetic.”

Onyejuwaka said the Supreme Court verdicts date back to 2015, with subsequent attempts by their rivals to secure stays of execution struck out as recently as 2021:

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“In three occasions that they filed to the Supreme Court, all of them were struck down. When they had judgment, we never stepped into that land. When they had judgment of the High Court, we left there and allowed them to do whatever they wanted until we got up here. I just don’t know why they are doing all this to us.”

Despite the rising tension, he assured that Etiti Ngwo would not resort to violence:

“If you look around me, it’s not as if I don’t have people. But we are law‑abiding. That is why we are appealing to the Governor of Enugu State to make sure he ends this matter before it turns again into a communal crisis.”

An eyewitness, Obinna Onyia, tearfully recounted the moment Sochima was killed:

“We were on our way back and saw some people all wearing black. They started pursuing us, and we were running without direction. The land was slippery because it had rained. My friend fell down, and I told him to stand up. He stood up, and we continued running. He fell again and went into the bush to hide. They came and met him inside the bush and shot him. I saw them, but I couldn’t do anything.”

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Officials react

When contacted, Mr. Chiwetalu Nwatu, Chief Executive Officer of ENGIS, denied the allegations, insisting he acted within his mandate:

“The land in question is a Crown Land and as such belongs to the government. Rather than taking over the land and demolishing every property there, the administration of Governor Peter Mbah in its magnanimity is asking everyone with a property there to come forward for registration.”

Meanwhile, the Enugu State Police Command confirmed the killing. Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said:

“On July 12, 2025, at about 3:35 pm, the Police received a distress report from Isiama Agu‑Ovolo in Etiti Ngwo community, alleging that youths from Umu‑Ugwu Akum Akwuke stormed their area at Ovolo Layout and shot one Onoh Sochima. Police operatives responded immediately and found the victim’s lifeless body with suspected gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital, confirmed dead, and his body deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.”

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SP Ndukwe added that preliminary investigations indicate the incident is linked to the ongoing land dispute, urging both communities to remain calm and avoid acts of self‑help while a full investigation continues.

As Enugu mourns yet another life lost, residents are calling on the state government and the courts to enforce their judgments and bring a lasting peace to the troubled land.

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Crime

Police Arrest Pastor, Accomplice Over Alleged Car Theft in Abuja

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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a Benue-based pastor, Edwin Nwabueze, and his alleged accomplice, Sadiq Jamiu, in connection with the theft of a Toyota Camry in Abuja.
The vehicle was reportedly stolen at UTC Plaza in Garki, prompting a police investigation that led to the arrest of Nwabueze at his residence on October 27, 2026.
In a statement issued on Friday, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, disclosed that Nwabueze identified himself as a pastor with Salvation Power Bible Ministry in the North Bank area of Benue State.
The suspect, who hails from Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, reportedly led police operatives to another location where Jamiu was subsequently arrested.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that Nwabueze had previously been arrested by the Benue State Police Command in connection with vehicle theft cases.
The command further alleged that both suspects belonged to an interstate car theft syndicate specialising in stealing and selling vehicles across different states.
Police authorities said investigations were ongoing to uncover the full extent of the syndicate’s activities and track down other members currently at large.
The suspects remain in police custody and are expected to be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

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Crime

Businessman’s Suspected Suicide: Family Alleges Foul Play, Demands Autopsy

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The family of a 46-year-old Ondo State businessman, Kayode Akinbolusere, popularly known as Tolufe, has raised suspicions over the circumstances surrounding his death, calling on security agencies to investigate claims that he may have been forced to record a farewell video before his demise.
Akinbolusere, who owned Esther Estate in Ondo State, was reportedly found dead in his office in Igba on Thursday after allegedly ingesting a poisonous substance.
Before his death, the businessman reportedly recorded a video in which he reflected on his personal struggles, acknowledged his wife’s support over the years and expressed his intention to leave his properties to her and their three children residing in Canada.

In the footage, which subsequently circulated on social media, Akinbolusere maintained that he was making the declaration voluntarily and had not been pressured by anyone.

He recalled starting his business from scratch and praised his wife, Esther, for standing by him during difficult times, particularly when he worked as a barber.

However, the deceased’s uncle, Femi Akinbolusere, has questioned the circumstances surrounding the recording, suggesting that his nephew’s statements and mannerisms raised serious concerns.

Speaking with newsmen, Femi wondered why the businessman repeatedly spoke about surrendering his properties, alleging that he might have been acting under duress.

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He urged investigators to critically examine the footage to establish whether another person was present or exerting pressure on the deceased.

The grieving uncle further demanded an autopsy to determine the actual cause of death, insisting that the family deserved answers.

According to him, the circumstances surrounding the incident were too suspicious to be dismissed without a comprehensive investigation.

He also called on the police to question individuals who might have information about the businessman’s final moments, including his wife.

Police Recover Suspected Poison Bottles, Rule Out Visible Signs of Violence

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Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has confirmed that an investigation has commenced into the incident.

In a statement issued on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed that the businessman, a resident of Road 7, Housing Estate, Igba, was discovered dead in his office beside BOVAS Petrol Station at approximately 3 p.m. on Thursday.

According to the police, operatives from the Bolorunduro Division visited the scene following a report of the incident and recovered two empty bottles suspected to have contained Sniper insecticide from a nearby bush.

The command also acknowledged the existence of the viral video in which the deceased reportedly lamented his personal difficulties.

Police said his remains had been evacuated to the State Hospital Morgue for preservation and further examination.

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Although preliminary examination revealed no visible injuries or signs of violence on his body, the command maintained that investigations were ongoing.

The family’s allegations of possible coercion have not been independently established, while the precise circumstances surrounding Akinbolusere’s death remain under investigation.

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Crime

Tenant Smashes Landlord’s For Increasing Rent Increase From N300,000 to N1 Million

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A disagreement over a sharp rent increase has reportedly turned violent in Benin City, Edo State, after a tenant allegedly smashed his landlord’s head during a confrontation.
The incident followed a dispute over renovation work carried out by the tenant at his own expense to improve the apartment for his business.
In a video shared online by Edo TV on Friday, October 30, the tenant narrated how the disagreement began when his landlord questioned him over tiling work done on the property.
According to him, the landlord subsequently demanded additional payment for the renovation before increasing his annual rent from N300,000 to N1 million, representing an increase of over 233 per cent.
The tenant alleged that the disagreement escalated into a physical confrontation after the landlord slapped him, prompting him to retaliate.
“He slapped me first and out of my defence, I smashed his head. It wasn’t intentional,” the tenant claimed.
The landlord reportedly sustained serious head injuries during the altercation.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over landlord-tenant disputes, particularly disagreements involving arbitrary rent increases and improvements undertaken by tenants at their own expense.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no confirmation of police intervention or whether any arrest had been made in connection with the incident.

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Crime

BREAKING: Sowore Hospitalised After Attack in Ekiti, Brother, Campaign Members Reportedly Macheted

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Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has reportedly been rushed to hospital following a violent attack by suspected political thugs in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Friday.
The attack, which reportedly occurred at Tawakal’tu Restaurants and Catering Services, left several members of Sowore’s entourage, including his brother, with suspected machete injuries.
Eyewitnesses alleged that armed men stormed the restaurant, attacked Sowore and members of his campaign team, and briefly abducted the activist before he was reportedly taken to hospital.
Sources linked the attackers to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), further alleging that the Department of State Services (DSS) provided information about Sowore’s location.
However, these allegations have not been independently verified.
One source claimed that Sowore was rushed to hospital after the incident, although details surrounding his reported abduction, subsequent release and the extent of his injuries remained unclear as of press time.
The attack reportedly triggered panic at the restaurant, forcing customers and other occupants to flee for safety. Several people were said to have sustained injuries during the disturbance.
Sowore’s Team Accuses DSS
Reacting to the incident, Sowore’s media team accused the DSS of compromising his security by allegedly disclosing his exact location to the attackers.
In a statement posted on his official X account, the team described the assailants as government-sponsored thugs and vowed that the attack would not deter Sowore’s political activities.
The African Action Congress had earlier raised concerns over his whereabouts, calling on the Ekiti State Governor, the Inspector-General of Police and the state Commissioner of Police to urgently establish his location and guarantee his safety.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rex Elanu, the party demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of those behind the attack.
The AAC further warned that it would mobilise a mass protest at the Ekiti State Government House should security authorities fail to take decisive action.
Similarly, Sowore’s campaign organisation called on the Nigeria Police Force, DSS, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant authorities to intervene.
The incident occurred during Sowore’s visit to Ekiti State for political activities ahead of the 2027 general election.
On Thursday, October 29, his defence counsel informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that the activist was in Ekiti for campaign engagements. The court subsequently adjourned his ongoing cyberbullying trial until November 3, 2026.
Meanwhile, the police have reportedly confirmed that an attack occurred but disputed claims that Sowore was abducted.
As of the time of filing this report, the circumstances surrounding the incident, the identities of the attackers and the extent of the victims’ injuries had yet to be independently established.

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Crime

Estate Developer Commits Suicide After Emotional Farewell Video, Leaves Properties to Wife, Children

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A prominent estate developer in Ondo City, Mr Akinbolusere Kayode, popularly known as Tolufe, has reportedly died in a suspected suicide incident after leaving behind an emotional farewell video containing messages to his family.

Kayode, the owner of Esther Estate, reportedly recorded a video which subsequently surfaced on Facebook, addressing his family, speaking about his properties and paying a heartfelt tribute to his wife.

In the recording, the deceased reportedly stated that he was acting without coercion, although he did not disclose the circumstances that informed his decision.

He appealed to his relatives and other concerned individuals to ensure that all his properties were handed over to his wife and children, who currently reside in Canada.

In what appeared to be an emotional farewell, Kayode described his wife as a wonderful woman who stood firmly by him throughout his life, expressing appreciation for her loyalty, sacrifices and unwavering support during their marriage.

News of his death has thrown parts of Ondo City into mourning, with residents, friends and associates expressing shock over the tragic development.

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Members of the Celestial Church of Christ, Omolore Parish, Yaba, Ondo, where the deceased was reportedly a prominent member, were also said to have been deeply saddened by his passing.

The video has since generated reactions on social media, with sympathisers extending condolences to his family.

However, the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, while official confirmation of the suspected cause of death was not available at the time of filing this report.

Kayode’s passing has left his family, associates and members of the Ondo community mourning a man whose final message centred largely on the welfare of his wife and children.

Source: Myexclusiveinfo

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