Community leader dies after thugs set ablaze house over land dispute

By Chinedu Umeh, Umuahia

A community leader, Ichie Joseph Onwukwe Izuogu in Ugwuozu, umumeze Amuda Isuochi, Umunneochi local government of Abia state has passed on after his house was set ablaze by some hoodlums in the community.

A family source told our correspondent that Ichie Izuogu died following the shock that hit him after his house was burnt down.

Trouble started when Ichie Izuogu testified in a land dispute involving his community and neighbouring community, Ozuorji, ozulobu umumeze Amuda Isuochi in Umunneochi LGA of Abia state.

The development did not go down well with some members of the community who were not happy that he told the truth over the matter, the source said.

“Our Eze died a long time ago, and because of that, a land dispute has been lingering between our community and the people of Ozuorji community.

“However, when a government delegation came to mediate over the matter, Ichie Izuogu told them that he would not be a party to lies. He told the government the truth, which is that the land does not belong to our community.

“This angered some other Ichies and they instigated the youths to burn down Ichie Izuogu’s house in January.

“He suffered a stroke in the process and never recovered until he died one month later, precisely on 14th February, 2021,” the community source disclosed.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that the community has also barred late Ichie Izuogu’s children from entering the community.

The youth leader of the community, Prince Nnamdi Okpara told our correspondent that they would not have anything in common again with the Ichie Izuogu’s children as his father worked against the community.

“We have communicated to the eldest son, Innocent Ugo Izuogu, that they should not be near the community again,” he boasted.

When contacted, the spokesman of the Imo State Police Command said nobody has reported the threat as the late Ichie Izuogu’s children were nowhere to be found.