Anambra community denies killing three over land dispute

The Nawfia community in the Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, under the banner of the Nawfia Progressive Union, has firmly denied allegations that its Vigilante Group was involved in the recent killing of three individuals at Agu-Isioye, in connection with a land dispute.

The ongoing land conflict involves the Nawfia community and its neighbouring towns, Enugwu-Ukwu and Agu-Isioye, all located within Njikoka LGA.

On Monday, reports surfaced that some youths and residents of Agu-Isioye were lured to the disputed land by unknown armed men pretending to be potential buyers.

Once gathered, the assailants reportedly opened fire, killing three people instantly, while others escaped with injuries.

The Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, noting that three people were shot dead.

He also disclosed that the police recovered a Toyota Sienna van believed to have been used by the attackers.

Following the tragic event, speculation spread, with some accusing the Nawfia community of orchestrating the killings.

This accusation was largely based on the claim that the vehicle found at the scene was linked to the Nawfia vigilante group.

However, in a press statement issued in Awka on Saturday, the President-General of the Nawfia Progressive Union, Chief Daniel Okoye, expressed the community’s condolences to the victims’ families and called for a comprehensive investigation.

Okoye firmly denied the involvement of the Nawfia vigilante group, stating that the vehicle in question did not belong to their operatives.

“The Nawfia community fully supports the ongoing investigation and urges security agencies to uncover the truth behind the tragic events at Agu-Isioye,” the statement read.

Chief Okoye also criticized a report from a socio-traditional group known as Ezumezu Umunri, which claimed to have identified the culprits and their motives. He called the group’s accusations “troubling and misleading,” emphasising that the police investigation was still in its early stages and that no conclusions should be drawn prematurely.