The Abia State Police Command has taken into custody a man accused of fatally attacking his own father during a bitter and long-running dispute over family property. This tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and highlights the extreme violence that can erupt from familial conflicts over land.
Details of the Fatal Confrontation
The suspect, identified as Uchechukwu Uchegbu, allegedly killed his father, Emmanuel Uchegbu, in the Elugwu Nkata community, located within the Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State. According to accounts from family members, the root of the violence was a contentious land disagreement that had festered for years.
A History of Escalating Tensions
Chinedu Uche, a relative who spoke to journalists, revealed that the conflict began when Uchechukwu allegedly attempted to appropriate a piece of family land for his personal use, a move his father strongly opposed. The situation deteriorated over time, with the suspect reportedly engaging in repeated acts of aggression against his elderly parent.
"He started suddenly having money and began forcefully claiming lands that were meant to be shared among my father and his siblings," Chinedu explained. "He even decided to build a house on one of the lands that had not yet been divided, which made my father furious. The land he claimed shares a boundary with my father’s property. He tried to encroach on my father’s land, but my father refused. That’s where the dispute started."
The family member further detailed that on multiple occasions over the years, Uchechukwu allegedly assaulted his father, damaged his properties, and issued threats to seize his father's house, boasting that his financial resources gave him the power to take control.
The Final Alleged Assault and Tragic Outcome
The confrontation reached its devastating climax on January 1, 2026. It is reported that Uchechukwu attacked his father with a cutlass, inflicting critical injuries. The elderly man was urgently transported to the Federal Medical Centre in Umuahia, where he received medical treatment. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries and passed away on January 31, 2026.
Chinedu noted that the suspect was initially arrested following the January 1 incident but was subsequently released. However, after his father's death, he was taken back into police custody.
Police Confirmation and Ongoing Investigation
Maureen Chinaka, the spokesperson for the Abia State Police Command, has officially confirmed the incident. She stated that the case is currently under active investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department.
"Yes, there is a case under investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department," Chinaka said. "The suspect has been apprehended and remains in our custody while the investigation continues."
This case underscores the severe consequences of unresolved land disputes within families and communities, prompting calls for peaceful conflict resolution mechanisms to prevent such tragedies in the future.
