NSUKKA----- There is tension in Igga Communityin Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State following the activities of suspected land grabbers which has led to the killing of three persons including the President General of the town union,
Sources told Southeast Post online newspaper that trouble started in the area when a suspected land grabber, Fabian Eleanya, died in prison custody while facing a murder charge at Enugu.
Late Eleanya was alleged to be suffering from lung cancer when he was arrested for the murder.
The suspects were alleged to have shot dead, a popular herbalist, one Herbert Igwebuike.
Igwebuike was allegedly killed in front of his house, while his neighbour's two legs were equally severed by gunshots, which led the neighbour to bleed to death before he could get medical attention.
The traditional ruler of Igga Community, His Royal Highness, Igwe Herbert Ukuta, who confirmed the story told the Southeast Post online newspaper that the Igga community was under siege by land grabbers, who had been selling communal land and killing those who opposed them.
His words,"Another member of my community, known as David Anikwe, was also assassinated in front of his house on February 17, 2022.
"Before his death, he stood against the sale of our community lands. Those who killed him came on a motorcycle around 9pm and shot him on the groin. They kept firing at him until they confirmed that he was dead. His son who ran out on hearing the gunshots narrowly escaped being killed too.
"The community members who were alerted by the sound of gun, came out only to see the suspects escaping through the farm track road. It was that moment that electricity light came and the suspects were recognized.
"Another son of the late Eleanya, known as Sunday Eleanya, also wanted to assassinate a member of my community called Chika in broad daylight. He came into Chika's house, shot at him twice but the bullets did not penetrate his skin. He tried axe on him too but it did not work. He then pulled a kitchen knife and stabbed his daughter on her hands. It was then that Chika held him , threw him down and raised the alarm. Luckily, the military men who were on patrol heard the noise and went and arrested Sunday.
"Ifeanyi Anago, was also arrested following an intelligence reports. While Sunday Eleanya, was charged for attempted murder, Ifeanyi Anago and Sunday Eleanya, were charged for murder because the son of David who narrowly escaped their bullets recognized them when they killed his father."
Ukuta, then, appealed to relevant government agencies to come to the aid of the late David's family, who he described as the breadwinner.
Also, rea cting to the development, a member of the Eleanya family, Stephen, denied ever instigating his brothers to kill
members of his community.
"I didn't instigate my brothers to kill people. We don't know where the killers are coming from. All I can say is that there are two factions in the community, those behind our traditional ruler and those who do not recognize him as our traditional ruler.
"So, whenever anything happens, those in Igwe's camp will believe that the second party is behind it. I am an agricultural officer and I don't know anything about this allegation. This kind of allegation was equally used to kill my brother,"
Meanwhile, Igwe Ukuta has raised an alarm over alleged threat on his life and some of his subjects by those allegedly selling their communual lands.
The monarch told reporters that three members of his community had already been assassinated while many others were still on the watchlist of the land grabbers, who he also accused of promoting local wars between Iggah and Ojor communities in the council area.
