Three tenants were buried on Monday in Asaba, Delta State, following their tragic deaths during a violent land dispute in Okwe. The victims, identified as Mohammed Murtsla, Kabiru Abdullahi, and Yahaya, were killed when gunmen in vigilante uniforms opened fire on them in a compound along the Asaba–Benin Expressway.
The attack, which lasted over two hours, also left seven others injured from gunshot wounds and machete attacks. Community leader Auwalu Dalhatu reported that prior threats had been issued to tenants, demanding they vacate the property or face dire consequences.
The group allegedly acted on behalf of Chief Jerry Nkeweshe, who claims ownership of the land, despite documentation indicating it belongs to Mr. Kingsley Ijebuonwu. Dalhatu had alerted the police about the threats but criticized their response when the attackers returned.
Following the killings, the Delta State Police Command has declared Nkeweshe wanted, confirming ongoing investigations. However, Nkeweshe’s lawyer, Kelechi Nnadi, stated that Nkeweshe was not present during the incident and described the police claims as damaging and untrue. He has demanded a retraction within 14 days to avoid legal action.
