Ebonyi Police Confirm Beheading Of Man In Land Dispute, Suspect Arrested.
The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the gruesome beheading of a middle-aged man, Dick Nnachi, in Oso-Edda, Edda Local Government Area, amid a long-standing land dispute with the neighbouring Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, 28 August 2025, was announced by Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, in a statement on Sunday, 31 August, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for peace.
DSP Ukandu described the killing as “wicked and inhumane,” revealing that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the crime. “We are aware of the incident, and our men have been deployed to the disputed area,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria, adding that an investigation is underway to uncover the root cause and ensure justice. The police have deployed operatives to the area to prevent further violence, with Ukandu urging residents to respect the buffer zone declared by Governor Francis Nwifuru to curb clashes.
The chairman of Edda Local Government Area, Chima Ekumankama, expressed deep sorrow over the incident during the community’s New Yam Festival at Nguzu Edda Community Primary School, where a moment of silence was observed for Nnachi. Visibly shaken, Ekumankama hinted at resigning if the violence persists, appealing to Governor Nwifuru for a security checkpoint to safeguard lives and property. “This is a tragedy we cannot continue to endure,” he said, noting the politicisation of the dispute by some local actors.
The APC state chairman, Chief Stanley Emegha, and the president-general of Ekoli Band of Hope, Chief Kalu Ama-Mba, also condemned the killing, describing it as “barbaric and unimaginable.” They urged both communities to shun reprisals and allow the state government’s efforts to demarcate the disputed land to proceed, emphasising the need for unity between Oso-Edda and Amasiri, which they described as “brothers and sisters.”
The land dispute, ongoing for over a decade, has repeatedly fuelled deadly clashes, with multiple lives lost despite government interventions. The killing of Nnachi follows another violent incident in Ebonyi, where David Anoke was shot dead in Okposi, Ohaozara Local Government Area, on Friday, 29 August, highlighting the region’s deteriorating security.
As investigations continue, police have assured residents that efforts are in place to restore calm and prevent further escalation. Community leaders and stakeholders are calling for urgent dialogue and stronger security measures to address the persistent violence and foster lasting peace in the region.