Asaba bloody land tussle: 4 die, 5 hospitalized

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

No fewer than four persons were said to have been killed and five others sustained various degrees of injuries  and hospitalized at St Rebecca hospital, Asaba, Delta state capital, when scores of armed thugs suspected to be local security operatives stormed a land at Klm 1, Asaba/Benin expressway and opened fire on residents of the area.

Among those reportedly killed included, Kabiru Abdulahi, one Mohammed, and a yet to be identified person while those injured were Baba Ado, Muzan and three other.

Reacting to the incident, chairman of Hausa community, Abrakka Quarters, Awalu Dalhatu, stated that, “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 that they were sent by a political bigwig to come and eject them 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 and failure that the day they will come that we will get it hot. True to their vow, today they killed four of our members.

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

Also Dalha Mohammad, who is caretaker chairman of the compound, corraborated the view of the chairman of the Hausa community, stating that bullets were being extracted from those five  injured at  St Rebecca hospital.

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

“Later the Uwadibia started claiming ownership and on the process he died and his wife, Gloria and son, brought in Jerry Nkewesi who  went and brought forged (C of O) that bears Francis Torlowei and used his own passport to impose on the C of O.

“We had earlier complained to the Commissioner of Police and had judgments on two occasions in our favor on the land.

Reacting, counsel to the landlord, Charles Obodozie condemned the invasion adding that there is a pending court case on the matter and that his client has gotten judgment on two rulings on the matter.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Bright Edafe, stated that he was not aware of the deaths but aware of injuries arising from process of executing a court order.

He added however that the state Police command is investigating the matter and pledged to call back later.