Asaba Land Dispute Turns Bloody: Four Feared Dead, Five Hospitalized

By our Correspondent

There are strong indications that no fewer than four persons were reported killed, while five others sustained various degrees of injuries and were hospitalized at St. Rebecca Hospital in Asaba, the Delta State capital, after scores of armed thugs suspected to be local security operatives stormed a parcel of land at Kilometre 1, Asaba/Benin Expressway, and opened fire on residents of the area.

According to eyewitness accounts, those said to have been killed include Kabiru Abdulahi, one Mohammed, and an unidentified individual, while those injured were Baba Ado, Muzan, and three others.

Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of the Hausa Community in Abrakka Quarters, Awalu Dalhatu, said: “The invaders came in with about 15 vehicles, parked nearby, and opened fire on us, resulting in the instant death of four of our members.

“The invaders claimed they were sent by a political bigwig to come and eject us, and we told them that our landlord, Mr. Kingsley Ijebuonwu, has a court judgment, which we presented to them.

“Earlier, the invaders came last Friday and told us to quit, warning that if we failed, we would face serious consequences the next time they returned. True to their vow, today they killed four of our members.

“We met with the DPO of ‘B’ Division and presented a copy of the judgment to him, and he pledged to send a police team to protect us,” he stated.

Also, Dalha Mohammad, caretaker chairman of the compound, corroborated the chairman’s account, noting that bullets were being extracted from the five injured victims at St. Rebecca Hospital.

In a swift reaction, the landlord of the disputed land, Mr. Kingsley Ijebuonwu, traced the history of the property to when his father, Christopher Ijebuonwu, acquired the land and had one Chief Uwadibia from Iselleukwu as a tenant.

“Later, Uwadibia began claiming ownership, and in the process, he died. His wife, Gloria, and son then brought in Jerry Nkewesi, who went and obtained a forged Certificate of Occupancy bearing the name Francis Torlowei but used his own passport photograph to back the document.

“We had earlier reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police and obtained judgments on two occasions in our favor,” he stated.

Reacting further, counsel to the landlord, Barr. Charles Obodozie, condemned the invasion, adding that there is a pending court case on the matter and that his client has received favorable judgments in two rulings.

Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bright Edafe, said he was not aware of the reported deaths but acknowledged injuries sustained during the process of executing a court order.

He added that the State Police Command is investigating the matter and promised to provide further updates later.