Man stoned to death over church land dispute in Ebonyi

isaac dachen

October 11, 2016 4:56 PM

A landowner has been stoned to death in Ebonyi State by suspected worshippers following a dispute over land.

Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris

A 60-year-old man,

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The State Command Police Public Relations Officer, DSP George Okafor, who confirmed the story to Vanguard reporters, said the incident occurred at Amebo-Ndebo village in the local government.

It was learned that the wife of the deceased, Abani Ugwu, reported the incident, saying that her husband was killed with stones, which led to the arrest of one Evangelist Tochukwu Okoh, the leader of the attackers, in connection with the incident.

The officer added that the woman said her husband was stoned by the suspects till he fell unconscious and was rushed to a hospital where he was confirmed dead.

“We are currently on the trail of other suspects and I am sure that they will soon be arrested due to the useful information at our disposal.

We assure the public that the matter will be investigated thoroughly while the culprits will be duly prosecuted.”

Residents of the community say the victim popularly called Boxer or Coach, had argued with the worshippers in a new generation church over the erection of a fence to demarcate their lands.

“We heard Boxer’s wife screaming that her husband had been attacked by some worshippers and before we could get to the scene, he was lying unconscious."

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"He was immediately rushed to the hospital but his wife identified one of the attackers still with a stone who was immediately apprehended and handed over to the police.

The victim’s wife explained that he had purchased and built on the parcel of land even before the church came to lay claim to it,” the resident said.

isaac dachen