Land Disputes Turn Deadly In Delta: 10 Killed In Six Months
By PAULINA NZERUBE
Delta State Battles Surge of Land-Related Killings Across Multiple Communities
DELTA State is facing a sharp escalation in land-related violence, with at least 10 people killed and dozens injured across several local councils within the last six months. A series of clashes, marked by armed invasions, ethnic tensions, and community rivalries, has plunged parts of the state into fear and uncertainty.
A Pattern of Deadly Clashes Across the State
Investigations show that the violence is widespread, with incidents recorded in Aniocha North, Oshimili South, Ughelli North, Ughelli South, and other communities. Security sources and petitioners describe a disturbing pattern: disputes over land quickly spiral into armed confrontations involving suspected cult groups, hired thugs, and local power brokers.
The Onicha-Olona Killings
The deadliest incident occurred on 19 May 2025 in Ishiekpe Quarters of Onicha-Olona, Aniocha North Local Council. Two community members—Kingsley Ogwugwa and town crier Meikowvute Anwuzia—were brutally murdered during a violent clash linked to a long-running land ownership dispute.
Just two days later, human rights lawyer Arthur Okafor (SAN) filed a detailed petition to the Police Service Commission. Representing three residents—Paul Okwusindi, Odiaka Monye, and Nelson Oluchukwu Ohajintu—he accused a local strongman, Jerry Nkeweshe (aka Babies), of leading “an unrestrained reign of terror.”
The petition alleged that Nkeweshe and more than a dozen armed men stormed the quarters in four Sienna vehicles, fired repeatedly into the air, and targeted residents in a push to assert control over disputed land. The petition also linked the group to kidnappings, vandalism, attempted murder, and cult-related intimidation.
Ethnic Tensions in Okwe, Oshimili South
In Okwe, tensions took an ethnic turn when three Hausa men—Muhammed Murtala, Kabiru Abdullahi, and Yahaya—were reportedly killed by armed land grabbers. The victims, all in their early 20s, were attacked alongside several others, leaving at least 15 people wounded.
Leaders of the Hausa community described the killings as a targeted effort to force them out of the area. Chairman of the Abraka Hausa Quarters, Auwalu Dalhatu, demanded ₦3 billion compensation, accusing local gangs of orchestrating a campaign of hostility and displacement.
Boundary War Rekindled in Ughelli
In Ughelli North and Ughelli South, a recurring boundary feud between Edjekota (Ogor Kingdom) and Otor-Ewu erupted once again. Armed youths from both sides clashed violently, leaving three people dead and several injured. The dispute, decades old, centers on contested farmland at the border of the two communities and has flared repeatedly despite multiple peace efforts.
Accused Monarch Denies Responsibility
Amid the rising accusations, Nkeweshe—who holds the traditional title Owelle of Onicha-Olona—has denied any role in the killings. Through his lawyer, Kelechi Nnadi, he dismissed the allegations as “false, defamatory, and malicious.” He claimed opponents were fabricating stories to tarnish his reputation and urged the police to pursue the “real culprits.”
Police Confirm Escalating Crisis
The Delta State Police Command acknowledges a worrying trend. Spokesperson SP Bright Edafe confirmed that land-related violence now ranks among the command’s most serious security challenges, rivaling kidnapping and armed robbery.
Edafe disclosed that the Okwe incident was not a minor altercation but a full criminal attack leading to four confirmed deaths, and directly implicated Nkeweshe in the violence.
“Shots were fired, and people were killed. This is no longer just a land dispute—it is a murder case,” he said.
Police Warn of Worse Violence Ahead
According to the police, the crisis persists because many residents prefer “self-help”—relying on armed groups, cult networks, or youth militias—rather than pursuing justice through the courts. Edafe warned that unless communities abandon the culture of violent land grabbing, more bloodshed is inevitable.
“You foresee an end only when we choose to become better people,” he said. “As long as some Nigerians forcefully take land that does not belong to them, violence will continue.”
Delta State authorities say they are monitoring the situation, but for many residents, the fear remains palpable. With multiple communities locked in simmering disputes and accusations flying among traditional leaders, victims’ families, and ethnic groups, the region faces a growing crisis that threatens stability unless urgent interventions are made.
