The President-General of Umugwuakum, Attakwu/Akwuke community in Enugu South Local Government Area, Chief Nicholas Ogbodo, has refuted claims linking his community to the reported killing of a native from Etiti, Ngwo, amid an ongoing land dispute between the two communities.

 

Ogbodo, in a statement personally signed and made available to journalists in Enugu on Thursday, described as “false and malicious” the allegations made by Mr. Kenneth Ani and Mr. Alex Amujiogu, President and Secretary of Etiti Ngwo community respectively, accusing Umugwuakum youths of launching an attack on July 12, 2025.

 

The Etiti Ngwo leaders had alleged that their people were attacked by Umugwuakum youths during a routine inspection of the disputed land, resulting in the death of a community member. However, Chief Ogbodo firmly denied any such clash occurred on that date.

 

“There was no confrontation or violence involving Umugwuakum youths on July 12. On that day, our youths were holding their regular monthly meeting within the community. These baseless allegations are provocative, misleading, and an outright distortion of facts,” he stated.

 

He also criticized the Etiti Ngwo leadership for allegedly violating an official warning issued by the Enugu State Boundary Committee chaired by the Deputy Governor. The directive, given on July 10, 2025, urged both communities to refrain from entering the disputed land until a formal boundary demarcation is made by the government.

 

Ogbodo added, “The so-called death reportedly occurred on the land that both communities were clearly instructed to avoid. Only the Etiti Ngwo community can explain the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.”

 

He expressed sympathy if a death truly occurred, saying:

 

“We empathize with the Etiti Ngwo community over the alleged loss. If indeed someone died, it is an unfortunate and avoidable tragedy. We pray for the peaceful repose of the departed soul.”

 

 

 

Meanwhile, the Enugu State Police Command has confirmed receiving a report of the alleged incident. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, stated that preliminary investigations link the case to the ongoing land dispute and assured that a full-scale probe is underway.

 

Ndukwe appealed for calm from both sides, urging residents to avoid self-help and allow law enforcement to uncover the facts.

 

 

As investigations continue, community leaders and stakeholders are being called upon to prioritize peace, obey government directives, and avoid inflammatory statements that may worsen tensions. The Enugu State Government, through its Boundary Committee, is expected to take further steps to resolve the dispute in the interest of lasting peace.