The long-standing land dispute between Etiti Ngwo community in Udi Local Government Area and Umu-Ugwu Akum Akwuke in Enugu South Local Government Area has claimed another life, despite multiple court judgments meant to resolve the conflict.
Residents of Etiti Ngwo have accused their rivals of violently encroaching on their land in defiance of Appeal Court and Supreme Court verdicts that affirmed their ownership of the disputed area.
According to Eze Daniel Onyejuwaka, Chairman of Etiti Ngwo Central community, the situation escalated following a meeting with the Deputy Governor and the Enugu State Boundary Committee on July 10, 2025.
"What actually happened is that on Thursday, July 10, 2025, we went to the office of the Deputy Governor, who is the head of the Boundary Committee of Enugu State," Onyejuwaka explained during a press briefing on Monday.
"We had a judgment over the dispute we have with the people of Umu-Ugwu Akum Akwuke. The Appeal Court gave us judgment, and the Supreme Court also upheld it," he continued.
Onyejuwaka revealed that despite receiving favorable judgment that same day, the opposing community proceeded to demolish properties on the disputed land and later ambushed residents of Etiti Ngwo, resulting in the death of Sochima Onoh.
"As the last batch of our people were coming back from the site, the people of Umuguakom and their team laid ambush and started shooting. Eventually, they shot one of our brothers, Sochima Onoh, who died in cold blood," he narrated.
The community leader also accused the Managing Director of Enugu State Geographic Information System (ENGIS), Mr. Chiwetalu Nwatu, of fueling the crisis by reallocating the disputed land despite court judgments.
"We have lost three lives on this land," Onyejuwaka lamented, noting that this was the third fatality in the ongoing dispute, following the deaths of Oliver Onoh and his own father.
Eyewitness Account
An eyewitness, Obinna Onyia, provided a harrowing account of Sochima's killing: "We were on our way back and saw some people all wearing black. They started pursuing us and we were running without direction. The land was slippery because it had rained."
"My friend fell down, and I told him to stand up. He stood up and we continued running. He fell again and went into the bush to hide. They came and met him inside the bush and shot him. I saw them, but I couldn't do anything," Onyia recounted tearfully.
Official Responses
When contacted, Mr. Chiwetalu Nwatu, Chief Executive Officer of ENGIS, denied the allegations, stating: "The land in question is Crown Land and as such belongs to the government. Rather than taking over the land and demolishing every property there, the administration of Governor Peter Mbah in its magnanimity is asking everyone with a property there to come forward for registration."
The Enugu State Police Command confirmed the incident through its Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, who stated that police operatives responded to a distress call on July 12, 2025, and found Onoh Sochima's lifeless body with suspected gunshot wounds.
"He was taken to the hospital, confirmed dead, and his body deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy," SP Ndukwe said, adding that preliminary investigations indicate the incident is linked to the ongoing land dispute.
The police have urged both communities to remain calm and avoid acts of self-help while a full investigation continues.
Despite the rising tension, Onyejuwaka assured that Etiti Ngwo would not resort to violence: "We are law-abiding. That is why we are appealing to the Governor of Enugu State to make sure he ends this matter before it turns again into a communal crisis."
As Enugu mourns yet another life lost to this protracted dispute, residents are calling on the state government and the courts to enforce their judgments and bring lasting peace to the troubled communities.
Stay updated with the latest developments on this story by following BenriNews on our social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and Telegram.
