Man Murdered Over N1,000 During Community Festival

By our Correspondent

A middle-aged man, Mr. Lawrence Peter, has been killed in Amangbala, Ohaisu community, Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, following a minor dispute with a fellow villager.

SP Joshua Ukandu, Public Relations Officer of the state police command, confirmed the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday. He stated,
“We are aware of the incident. The suspect has been arrested and is currently in our custody. Our team has also detained some other individuals in the area, and investigations have begun.”

According to a local resident, Mr. Chukwuemeka Oyim, the tragedy occurred during the “Iko Ohaisu” festival. He explained that the suspect entered the Ogo Amaokwu-Amangbala chamber around 1 a.m., where festival preparations were underway, and began harassing attendees, demanding N1,000 as a levy for using the ‘Ogo’ for their costumes.

Oyim added that the suspect claimed he and his associates had cleaned the ‘Ogo’. When Mr. Peter politely told the suspect he had no money on him, the suspect ignored the plea and struck him on the head with a bottle, inflicting a fatal injury before fleeing the scene.

The victim was rushed to Maranatha Hospital in Afikpo, where he was pronounced dead.