Three persons have been confirmed killed and five others critically injured, after a violent crisis that ensued between youths of Enugwu-Ukwu and Nawfia communities, both in Njikoka Council Area of Anambra State.
The deceased persons said to be from Isionye village, Enugwu-Ukwu, were alleged to have been murdered on Monday, by individuals suspected to be from the Nawfia community.
Among the deceased were Onyedika Agbakwu, who is the Enugwu-Ukwu Ward 3 APC Chairman, Emelie Onyeagba, and Ebuka Nwobu.
Eye-witness accounts indicate a land dispute between Isionye, Enugwu-Ukwu, and Nawfia Community.
Meanwhile, as of Tuesday morning, angry youths from the Enugwu-ukwu community have blocked the Ring Road to protest the killings.
Confirming the incident, the President-General of Enugwu-Ukwu Community Development Union (ECDU), Nze Patrick Nworji, said they are shocked at the unfortunate and cold murder of some members of Isionye Community, Enugwu-Ukwu by some persons who allegedly are from neighbouring Nawfia town.
Condemning the unprovoked attack on members of the Isionye community, Nworji said the survivors are currently in the hospital where they are receiving treatment.
The leadership of the town urged the people of Enugwu-Ukwu to remain calm and avoid taking the laws into their hands, saying the security agencies are on high alert to apprehend the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
He said; “The traditional Ruler has also extended his gratitude to Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his quick response demonstrated by the personal visit of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, to the hospital to commiserate with the survivors and evaluate the situation.”
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police CP Nnaghe Obono Itam has ordered an investigation into the murder of the deceased.
According to the Spokesperson of the Police in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, preliminary information, reveals that the victims were lured by some individuals through a phone call to the land in the guise of a land transaction and attacked them with guns and matchet.
“The CP has sued for calm as Police operatives have recovered the abandoned Sennia vehicle used by the murderers.
“Also, the testimonies of the injured victims who are currently receiving treatment in the hospital are aiding the investigation while the bodies of the deceased have been deposited in the morgue,” Ikenga said.
