Man arrested for stabbing relative to death over family land in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old man, Okwuchukwu Ezimuo, for allegedly killing his relative during a quarrel over a family land dispute in Umunocha Village, Awka-Etiti, Idemili South Local Government Area.

According to reports, Ezimuo and the deceased, 65-year-old Joseph Dike, engaged in a heated argument on Monday evening, which quickly escalated into violence. In the course of the altercation, Ezimuo allegedly stabbed Dike in the chest.

The victim was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital but was tragically confirmed dead by the attending doctor.

Confirming the incident in a statement on Wednesday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said officers had visited the crime scene and collected relevant evidence, including photographs.

Ikenga said officers from the Nnobi Police Divisional Headquarters arrested the suspect, and he is currently under interrogation.

He said, “The Anambra State Police Command Operatives attached to the Nnobi Police Divisional Headquarters have arrested one Okwuchukwu Ezimuo, male, aged 45 years, over the death of his relative on an alleged family land dispute in Awka-Etiti.

“Preliminary information revealed that in the evening of September 22, 2025, the deceased, one Joseph Dike, male, aged 65 years, collapsed after being struck on the chest by the suspect during a quarrel in Umunocha Village, Awka-Etiti.

“Following the incident, the victim was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead by a Medical Doctor on duty. The scene of the crime was visited, and relevant evidence, including a photograph, was taken.”

According to him, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, urged residents to seek peaceful resolution to disputes and avoid violence at all times.

The CP further directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for discreet investigation to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

Recall that the Anambra State Police Command, in February 2025, arrested one Christian Ndu in connection with the fatal stabbing of his elder brother during an altercation.

The incident, described by the state Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, as “tragic” and “unfortunate,” sparked renewed calls for peaceful conflict resolution within communities.

The state police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident, said the suspect was apprehended by police operatives attached to the 3-3 Divisional Headquarters, following a report of the incident.