Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the murder of a
man, Philip Ugwu, 60, by suspected worshipers following a land dispute in
Afikpo Local Government Area.
man, Philip Ugwu, 60, by suspected worshipers following a land dispute in
Afikpo Local Government Area.
Public Relations Officer of the command, George Okafor said
in Abakaliki that the incident occurred at Amebo-Ndebo village.
in Abakaliki that the incident occurred at Amebo-Ndebo village.
Okafor said the matter was reported to the police on
September 30 by the wife of the deceased, Abani Ugwu and added that one
Tochukwu Okoh, an evangelist, has been arrested in connection with the
incident.
September 30 by the wife of the deceased, Abani Ugwu and added that one
Tochukwu Okoh, an evangelist, has been arrested in connection with the
incident.
He said the deceased’s wife alleged that Okoh and three
others attacked her husband with stones.
others attacked her husband with stones.
The officer also quoted the widow as
saying that her husband, who could not withstand the attack eventually became
unconscious and was rushed to a hospital where he was confirmed dead. He said
his body had been deposited in a mortuary and would undergo autopsy.
saying that her husband, who could not withstand the attack eventually became
unconscious and was rushed to a hospital where he was confirmed dead. He said
his body had been deposited in a mortuary and would undergo autopsy.
The spokesperson said the divisional police officer for the
area led a team of detectives and anti-crime patrol officers to the scene and
arrested the suspect.
area led a team of detectives and anti-crime patrol officers to the scene and
arrested the suspect.
“We are currently on the trail of other suspects and I am
sure that they will soon be arrested due to the useful information at our
disposal,” he said.
sure that they will soon be arrested due to the useful information at our
disposal,” he said.
“We assure the public that the matter will be investigated
thoroughly while the culprits will be duly prosecuted,” he said.
thoroughly while the culprits will be duly prosecuted,” he said.
The victim,
popularly called Boxer or Coach, was said to have argued with the worshippers
in a new generation church over the erection of a fence to demarcate their
lands. We heard Boxer’s wife screaming that her husband had been attacked by
some worshippers and before we could get to the scene, he was lying
unconscious.
popularly called Boxer or Coach, was said to have argued with the worshippers
in a new generation church over the erection of a fence to demarcate their
lands. We heard Boxer’s wife screaming that her husband had been attacked by
some worshippers and before we could get to the scene, he was lying
unconscious.
“He was immediately rushed to the hospital, but his wife
identified one of the attackers, still with a stone, who was immediately
apprehended and handed over to the police.”
identified one of the attackers, still with a stone, who was immediately
apprehended and handed over to the police.”
“The victim’s wife explained that he had purchased and built
on the parcel of land even before the church came to lay claim over it,” a
witness who preferred anonymity said.
on the parcel of land even before the church came to lay claim over it,” a
witness who preferred anonymity said.
The witness said the matter had previously been
reported to the traditional council, during which the head pastor of the
church, still at large, was invited
