A violent land dispute in Okochi Ime village, Okpuno, located in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, has left two people dead and another in critical condition.
The Anambra State Police Command confirmed on Wednesday that five suspects have been arrested in connection with the deadly incident. The suspects are currently in custody and are being questioned by investigators to determine their exact roles in the attack.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), **SP Tochukwu Ikenga**, the victims were attacked by armed men who stormed the village in an unmarked black Toyota Corolla car. The assailants were said to be carrying pump action guns and opened fire on their targets before fleeing the scene.
Police recovered one automatic pump action gun during the arrest of the suspects. The lifeless bodies of the two victims have since been deposited at a nearby morgue, while the third victim, who sustained serious injuries, is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. Doctors have reportedly placed the patient on a danger list due to the severity of the wounds.
The Police have not yet released the names of the victims or suspects, but investigations are ongoing.
“This is a disturbing development,” said SP Ikenga. “We have recovered a weapon and are interrogating the suspects. The Commissioner of Police has ordered that the case be immediately transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Awka for a detailed investigation.”
The Commissioner of Police also directed the deployment of tactical teams to the area to maintain peace and arrest any additional suspects who may still be on the run.
Tensions have been rising in Okochi Ime and surrounding areas due to longstanding land ownership disputes, which community leaders say have remained unresolved for years. This latest incident has brought renewed attention to the issue of land-related violence, which continues to claim lives in many parts of the South-East.
Residents of Okpuno have expressed fear and concern over the increasing rate of violence in land matters, calling on the government to step in and mediate disputes before they escalate further.
A community elder who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “Land issues have caused too many deaths in this area. People are arming themselves. The government needs to find a way to resolve these conflicts peacefully.”
The Anambra State Police Command has assured the public that it will get to the root of the matter and bring all those involved to justice. It also urged anyone with useful information to come forward to assist in the investigation.
As of the time of this report, calm has returned to the village, but residents remain on edge, fearing a possible reprisal or further violence.