The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 46-year-old man, Obadigbo Emmanuel Anumudu, for the gruesome murder and beheading of a 69-year-old woman, Mrs. Obianuju Akubi, over a land dispute in Umuleri community, Anambra East Local Government Area.
According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, on Friday, October 4, 2025, at Aguleri, following credible intelligence.
Anumudu had reportedly been on the run since July 22, 2024, when the crime was committed. Upon his arrest and during interrogation, he confessed to the murder and named his accomplices. He also disclosed the location where the victim’s severed head was hidden.
The killing, described by the police as “barbaric and senseless,” is believed to be tied to a lingering land ownership dispute at Ogwu Nzu in the same community. Investigations revealed that the late Mrs. Akubi had testified in favour of one of the parties in the land case, a move that allegedly angered Anumudu and his gang.
In a shocking twist, the suspect reportedly told investigators that he and his accomplices used the woman’s head for ritual purposes, intending to spiritually “fortify” themselves to gain dominance over the disputed land.
SP Ikenga also confirmed that two other suspects involved in the incident, identified as Joseph Udezuo (popularly known as “Boss”) and Chukwuemeka Nworah (aka “Odumodu”), were arrested by a local vigilante group, Agunechemba, but had not yet been formally handed over to the police.
“Efforts are ongoing to take custody of the additional suspects for further investigation and possible prosecution,” Ikenga said.
The arrest marks a breakthrough in a case that has haunted the Umuleri community for over a year. The brutal nature of the crime and the long flight of the suspects had raised fears and tension in the area, prompting repeated calls for justice from family members and community leaders.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has condemned the killing in strong terms, describing it as “inhuman and unacceptable.” He stressed that land matters are civil issues that should be resolved through legal means, not violence.
“People must learn to be patient with court processes and avoid taking the law into their own hands,” the CP warned.
He also appreciated the efforts of the Nigerian military and local security stakeholders in Anambra East LGA, particularly the Chairman of the local government, Mr. Chinweze Ifeanyichukwu. According to the police, their collaboration and timely sharing of intelligence were instrumental in tracking down the suspect.
Land disputes in parts of Anambra State have been known to escalate into deadly confrontations. In rural areas, especially, ownership disagreements often lead to violence, with many communities lacking proper land documentation or access to quick legal resolution.
The case of Mrs. Akubi is one of several in recent years where land disagreements turned deadly. Community leaders have repeatedly urged the state government to strengthen conflict resolution mechanisms and improve security in vulnerable rural areas.
With the arrest of the main suspect and two others, residents of Umuleri and surrounding communities are hopeful that justice will finally be served. Some community members have also called for psychological and emotional support for the victim’s family, who have endured over a year of trauma and silence since the incident.
As the police continue investigations and prepare for prosecution, the Anambra State Government is being urged to address the broader issues surrounding land conflicts, especially in communities with a history of tension.
