By Sunday Agbo, Abakaliki

Unknown hoodlums attacked Amaonye in Ishiagu of Ivo local government area of Ebonyi state, killing one Igwe Friday, aged 35. It was learnt that after killing Friday, who was a successful business man, they had his head and private parts excised, and left him bleeding.

‎Orient Daily learnt that Igwe had a land dispute with one of his nephews, Ikechukwu Okorie, a matter residents of the community suspected was responsible to his death.

A community source that does not want to be mentioned told Orient Daily that the incident had thrown the community into a state of mourning and confusion. The source said the deceased had embarked on building his own house before he was killed.

‎The source said, “Friday Igwe was murdered in cold blood at his country home, Amaonye in Ishiagu in Ivo local government area on 27 April, 2018. The victim’s body was found with his head cut off, his private part cut off. The victim was a successful business man who surprisingly came home frustrated. He is a nephew (sic) to an Abuja-based rich industrialist, Mr. Ikechukwu Okorie also from Amaonye Ishiagu.

“The victim came home some years ago and was allegedly planning to build a house in a land bequeathed to him by his grandfather near St. Gabriel Catholic Church Amaonye Ishiagu. He shares the same grandfather with Ikechukwu Okorie. But about 2 years ago the victim about 35 years had a serious dispute with his nephew, Ikechukwu Okorie as the Abuja based rich man laid claim to the land also.

“This dispute landed the victim in the police as the Abuja-based rich man made sure he was detained for more than a month and before the victim could be released. Mr. Ikechukwu Okorie had fenced the disputed land. The victim being frustrated decided to live at a distant settlement in the community. Up till now no arrest has been made. The corpse was taken to Agu 3 palace and finally to the mortuary.”

The Divisional Police Officer, DPO of Ishiagu, Mr. Urom ,who confirmed the incident, stated that the matter would soon be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, of the Police Headquarters in Abakaliki added that the deceased was killed by unknown assailant.

“His head was cut off; his stomach also burst open. He was killed by unknown assailant. The matter will soon be transferred to the SCID for further investigation.”

Speaking on the matter, a community leader of Amaonye, Mr. Aja Chika who described the incident as very terrible prayed God that the perpetrators of the dastardly act be arrested and prosecuted according to the law. “This is very terrible thing. Since the existence of the town nothing like this has ever happened. The community is totally amazed by the development.”

The traditional ruler of Ishiagu community, the Agu III, Eze Moses Okafor Ngele who is the chairman of traditional rulers’ council of Ivo local government area expressed optimism that the perpetrators will be arrested in no distant time through traditional means.