Tragedy struck Uli community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State on Sunday night as a man identified simply as Gozie allegedly killed his lover’s only son for opposing their relationship.
The victim, said to be in his 20s, was reportedly attacked in his room following repeated disagreements with his mother’s lover over his frequent visits to their home.
Residents told PUNCH Metro on Thursday that tensions between the deceased and the suspect had persisted for some time, often resulting in heated altercations.
According to an eyewitness, who identified himself simply as Somto, neighbours became suspicious after not seeing the occupants of the compound for days.
“The incident happened on Sunday night at a compound near the Uli campus of Anambra State University. Neighbours said they heard unusual noises that night, but it was when no one was seen for about two days that they decided to check,” he said.
He explained that residents searched the rooms in the compound and discovered the victim’s lifeless body in a pool of blood.
“When they entered the young man’s room, they found his corpse with deep machete cuts on the head and other parts of the body. This drew a crowd, and youths in the area immediately launched a search for the suspect and the boy’s mother, but they had fled,” Somto added.
The incident was subsequently reported to the police, while the remains of the deceased were deposited in a morgue.
A video circulating online shows some youths conveying the corpse in a wheelbarrow through parts of the community while chanting and demanding justice.
Further findings by our correspondent revealed that the deceased’s mother had returned to Uli after the death of her husband, an indigene of the neighbouring Egbu community, where the victim hailed from.
Another resident, Nnamdi Ozoememam, told our correspondent that the suspect’s relationship with the woman had been a source of persistent conflict.
“The man started visiting the woman regularly, and the boy objected, warning him several times. This often led to quarrels. At some point, the man began staying overnight, which further angered the boy,” he said.
He alleged that on the night of the incident, the suspect attacked the victim while he was asleep.
“After killing him, the suspect fled with the boy’s mother. It was only days later that neighbours discovered the body,” he added.
Ozoememam further disclosed that the development sparked outrage among youths from Egbu community, who reportedly stormed the suspect’s family compound and set buildings ablaze in retaliation.
“The situation escalated as some youths carried the corpse around the community before attacking the suspect’s compound and burning houses there,” he said.
A community elder, who spoke on condition of anonymity, condemned both the killing and the subsequent mob action, warning against jungle justice.
“It is unfortunate that the situation degenerated to the destruction of property. Stakeholders in Uli and Egbu communities must intervene to prevent further escalation,” he said.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said he could not immediately confirm the incident.
However, a police source in the Ihiala area disclosed that the case was being documented and would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department.
“The corpse has been recovered and deposited at the morgue. The two principal suspects are currently at large, and investigations are ongoing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident,” the source said.
PUNCH.
