The President-General of Umugwuakum, Attakwu/Akwuke community in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu state, Chief Nicholas Ogbodo has refuted media reports on the purported mayhem at the disputed lands between his community and Etiti, Ngwo community that was reported to claim one life.
In a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Enugu on Thursday, Ogbodo described as “false and malicious” the accusation in the media credited to the President and Secretary of Etiti, Ngwo community, Mr. Kenneth Ani and Mr. Alex Amujiogu in which the duo alleged that the youths of Umugwuakum Attakwu/Akwuke had on 12th July, 2025, attacked Etiti Ngwo citizens while on routine inspection on the disputed lands between Umugwuakum Attakwu/Akwuke and Etiti Ngwo communities.
He faulted the claim by Etiti Ngwo leaders, saying there was no clash whatsoever between youths from the two feuding communities on the said date.
The President General said that the outbursts of Etiti Ngwo leaders “are condemnable as they are false, irrational and provocative,” adding that it has also revealed their “outlawry and lack of respect for the Government of Enugu State, which had through the office of the Deputy Governor as the Chairman of Enugu State Boundary Committee on 10th July, 2025 warned both communities to refrain from entering into the disputed lands until the State Government pronounces on the boundary between the two warring communities.”
According to Ogbodo, “Etiti Ngwo leaders had alleged that one Ngwo native died while on the disputed land Enugu State Government had banned entry, in circumstances which only Etiti Ngwo community can explain.”
“Ironically, and fertitiously, the youths of Umugwuakum Attakwu/Akwuke were on their monthly meeting on the day of the alleged incident, which speaks volume of their innocence from Etiti Ngwo leaders’ accusation.
“We empathize over the alleged death, if truly there was one, and pray for the repose of the soul of the departed, who died avoidable death,” the Umugwuakum Attakwu/Akwuke President-General stated.
Etiti Ngwo had accused Umugwuakum Attakwu/Akwuke of defying multiple court verdicts and violently encroaching on their land, even after both the Appeal Court and Supreme Court affirmed Etiti Ngwo’s ownership of the disputed area, causing the death of one.
The Enugu State Police Command had through the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said it received report of the alleged killing of an Etiti Ngwo native linked to the land dispute, which is being investigated to ascertain what really happened.
SP Ndukwe said that preliminary investigations indicate the incident is linked to the ongoing land dispute, urging both warring communities to remain calm and avoid acts of self‑help while a full investigation continues.