Chaos erupted in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, as Chidebe Ibeakuzie, popularly known as “Mighty,” a youth leader, was shot dead in a violent confrontation between Obosi youths and security operatives.
The clash was over the control of a tricycle park near the military cantonment in Onitsha.
During the confrontation, two Obosi youths were reportedly abducted, and several Keke operators and passersby sustained gunshot wounds.
The unrest stemmed from a heated dispute between the family of late Tochukwu Anyaoku, an Obosi native, and Hon. Edward Ibuzo, a former member of the Anambra State House of Assembly representing Onitsha North 1 Constituency.
According to sources, the late Anyaoku had leased the tricycle park before his death last year, with his wife taking over its management.
However, Hon. Ibuzo allegedly laid claim to the land, sparking a bitter standoff.
Obosi youths accused Ibuzo of orchestrating the attack by engaging operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), whom they claim were responsible for the fatal shooting of Mighty.
Ibuzo denied any involvement, stating via a WhatsApp call to journalists that he was in Germany at the time of the incident.
He alleged that DSS operatives had intervened after witnessing a suspected kidnapping, which led to an exchange of gunfire.
Chief Omezie Chukwurah, a prominent Obosi stakeholder, lamented the escalating violence, revealing that previous police interventions had led to another Obosi youth being shot in the head.
He further alleged that the operatives who killed Mighty arrived in vehicles linked to Ibuzo.
The traditional ruler of Obosi, Igwe Chidubem Iweka III, expressed concern over the potential resurgence of historical land disputes between Onitsha and Obosi if the situation is not handled properly.
Meanwhile, the President General of the Obosi Development Union (ODU), Barrister Chimezie Obi, refuted claims of a land dispute, insisting that the conflict was about an Onitsha man forcefully taking over a business belonging to an Obosi man.
He emphasized that the primary issue was the killing of a young Obosi leader who was defending his community’s rights.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that he was not yet aware of the incident.
The killing has heightened tensions in the area, with residents calling for swift government intervention to prevent further bloodshed.
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