There’s growing tension in Enugu State after a renewed outbreak of violence between two communities Etiti Ngwo in Udi Local Government Area and Umu Ugwu Akum Akwuke in Enugu South.
The latest conflict led to the killing of a young man named Sochima Onoh, despite court rulings that had already settled the ownership of the disputed land in favor of Etiti Ngwo.
According to Etiti Ngwo residents, their neighbors from Umu-Ugwu Akum Akwuke ignored multiple court rulings including those from the Appeal Court and Supreme Court and continued to trespass and destroy property on the land.
The Chairman of Etiti Ngwo Central Community, Eze Daniel Onyejuwaka, said the violence happened soon after a peace meeting with the Enugu State Deputy Governor and the State Boundary Committee on July 10, 2025.
He explained:
“That same day after the meeting, people from the other community came and began destroying our properties on the land. They later ambushed our people and shot Sochima dead.”
Onyejuwaka said this was not the first time lives had been lost over the land. According to him, three people, including his own father, have died because of this land conflict.
He also accused the Managing Director of the Enugu State Geographic Information System (ENGIS), Chiwetalu Nwatu, of worsening the situation by allocating land to the other community despite court rulings that said they had no right to it.
Obinna Onyia, who witnessed the killing, said:
“We were walking back from the land when people dressed in black suddenly chased us. Sochima fell while running and hid in the bush. They found him and shot him there. I saw everything but couldn’t help.”
The Enugu State Police Command confirmed the incident. Police spokesperson SP Daniel Ndukwe said the killing happened on July 12, 2025, at Ovolo Layout in Etiti Ngwo.
“We found the victim with gunshot wounds. He was confirmed dead at the hospital and his body was deposited at the mortuary.”
Police said the violence is linked to the ongoing land dispute and urged both communities to stay calm and let the authorities handle the matter.
ENGIS boss Chiwetalu Nwatu denied doing anything wrong. He said the land in question belongs to the government and that people should simply come forward to register their properties.
“Instead of forcefully taking over the land, the government is asking people to come and register their property properly,” he said.
Meanwhile, community leaders and residents of Etiti Ngwo are calling on the Governor of Enugu State, the Attorney General, and the Judiciary to help enforce the Supreme Court's decision and prevent further violence.
