Anambra Police Arrest Five Over Murder Of Villagers In Land Dispute.
The Anambra State Police Command has apprehended five suspects linked to the tragic killing of two individuals during a violent land dispute in Okochi-Ime Village, Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area. The arrests, confirmed by police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga on Thursday, 5 June 2025, mark a significant step in addressing the incident that has left the community reeling.
According to a statement from the police, the attack occurred on Tuesday, 3 June 2025, when armed men, operating from an unmarked black Toyota Corolla, descended on the victims, fatally shooting two and leaving another with grievous injuries. The police recovered one automatic pump action gun from the suspects, who are now in custody and undergoing interrogation to unravel the full circumstances of the alleged murders and assault.
SP Ikenga detailed the distressing event, noting, “The disturbing incident recorded on June 3, 2025, revealed that the armed suspects with pump action guns attacked the victims and fled the scene.” The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at a nearby morgue, while the injured survivor is receiving urgent medical attention at a hospital.
The Commissioner of Police has ordered the case to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka for a thorough and comprehensive investigation. Authorities are determined to uncover the motives behind the violence, which preliminary reports suggest stemmed from a contentious land dispute in the village.
The arrests have brought a measure of hope to the Okochi-Ime community, with police vowing to leave no stone unturned in ensuring justice is served. The incident has underscored the dangers of unresolved land conflicts, prompting calls for dialogue and peaceful resolution to prevent further loss of life.
Further developments are expected as the investigation progresses, with the Anambra State Police Command reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives and property across the region.
