Tension has flared again in Enugu State following a renewed outbreak of violence in the longstanding land dispute between Etiti Ngwo in Udi Local Government Area and Umu-Ugwu Akum Akwuke in Enugu South LGA.
The latest clash, which occurred days after a state-led mediation effort, claimed the life of a young man, Sochima Onoh, sparking outrage and calls for urgent government intervention.
Residents of Etiti Ngwo accused their neighbours of defying multiple court rulings—including judgments from the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court—which reportedly upheld Etiti Ngwo’s ownership of the disputed land. They alleged that Umu-Ugwu Akum Akwuke residents resumed encroachment and launched a deadly ambush after a meeting with the Deputy Governor and State Boundary Committee on July 10, 2025.
Chairman of Etiti Ngwo Central Community, Eze Daniel Onyejuwaka, told journalists on Monday that the violence escalated shortly after they were re-affirmed as rightful landowners by the boundary committee.
“The Appeal Court gave us judgment, and the Supreme Court also upheld it. Yet, from that day, they went back to the land, demolished our structures, and ambushed our people. That’s how Sochima was murdered in cold blood,” Onyejuwaka stated.
He also alleged that the Managing Director of the Enugu State Geographic Information System (ENGIS), Chiwetalu Nwatu, had worsened the situation by allegedly making land allocations on the disputed property in violation of court rulings.
“Despite the state government’s efforts, ENGIS continued allocating land to the defeated community. This emboldened them. We’ve lost three lives so far—Oliver Onoh, Sochima, and even my own father,” he lamented.
Onyejuwaka called on the Governor of Enugu State, the State and Federal Attorneys-General, and the judiciary to enforce the court judgments to avoid a larger communal crisis.
Eyewitness Obinna Onyia recounted the harrowing moment of the attack, saying, “They wore black and chased us. My friend Sochima fell twice. The second time, he hid in the bush, but they found and shot him.”
Reacting to the claims, ENGIS boss Chiwetalu Nwatu denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the land is Crown Land and legally belongs to the government.
“Rather than demolishing the structures, the state government is inviting all property owners to register their holdings,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the fatal incident. Spokesperson SP Daniel Ndukwe said police received a distress call on July 12 around 3:35 p.m. from Isiama Agu-Ovolo in Etiti Ngwo.
“Youths from Umu-Ugwu Akum Akwuke allegedly stormed Ovolo Layout and shot one Onoh Sochima. His body was recovered with gunshot wounds and taken to the mortuary,” he said.
Ndukwe said preliminary investigations link the killing to the ongoing land dispute and appealed for calm.
“We urge both communities to avoid taking the law into their hands while investigations continue,” he added.
The situation remains tense as residents and local leaders call for swift justice and enforcement of existing legal rulings to forestall further violence.
