Widow Appeals for Justice as Land Dispute Claims Life of Umuawulu Community Chairman

A 49 year old widow, Mrs. Nkechi Obi, has appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts to identify and arrest those responsible for the killing of her husband, Humphrey Obi, allegedly over a longstanding land dispute in Umuawulu, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Humphrey Obi, who was the Chairman of Umuenu Village in the community, was reportedly attacked while he was on his farm on ancestral land claimed by his community. According to his widow, he was allegedly attacked with a machete and clubbed to death.

Mrs. Obi said the death of her husband had left the family in pain, frustration and agony, with four children now left under her care. She maintained that the disputed land belonged to her family and that a neighbouring village had been contesting its ownership for several years.

The killing has reportedly heightened tension in the area, with fear preventing some residents from going to the disputed farmland.

The widow appealed to the Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, to intervene and ensure that security agencies apprehend those responsible for her husband’s death.

Two elderly residents of Umuenu, 96 year old Steven Ugochukwu Okoye and 90 year old Nze Alexander Onyiliuka, described the killing of the community chairman as a painful blow to the people.

The elders also called on the Governor to address what they described as alleged oppression of the people by wealthy individuals involved in the dispute.

The President General of the community, Comrade Bernard Mbolu, said the people of Umuenu were demanding justice for their slain chairman.

He urged the Anambra State Government to treat the matter primarily as a dispute over ownership and possession of the land, rather than merely as a boundary disagreement.

Comrade Mbolu further appealed to the Governor to prevent further access to the disputed land pending the determination of the case before the Awka High Court, in order to prevent further escalation and protect lives.

The community is now calling for justice, security and a peaceful resolution of the longstanding dispute.