Tragedy has struck Umunankwor village in Ula, Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, after two brothers allegedly killed their sibling, Onyedikachi Okpala, during a dispute over family inheritance.
The incident occurred as the family prepared for the burial of their father, a ceremony that was meant to unite relatives but instead ended in bloodshed.
According to eyewitness accounts, the suspects, identified as Chigbo and Okwudili Okpala, attacked their younger brother during a heated argument at the family compound.
Onyedikachi, described as a successful businessman based in Lagos and the breadwinner of the family, had reportedly returned home to oversee preparations for their father’s funeral.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that tension had been brewing between the brothers over control of family property.
Onyedikachi had engaged a painter to renovate the family house ahead of the burial, a move his brothers allegedly opposed.
“He brought a painter to repaint the house so that it would look good for our father’s burial,” the source said.
“But his brothers insisted that the building would not be repainted. They have been staying in the village for years without doing much, while Onyedikachi was the one taking care of the family from Lagos.”
The disagreement reportedly escalated when Onyedikachi arrived at the compound with the painter.
Sister’s account
One of their sisters, Mrs. Celestine Okoye, recounted the horrifying moment the confrontation turned violent.
“As we were entering the compound with Onyedikachi and the painter, the two of them rushed at him and started beating him,” she said.
“They were angry that he wanted to give the house a facelift before our father’s burial. As I tried to stop them, one of them grabbed a machete and cut the back of his neck.”
The injury proved fatal. Onyedikachi collapsed and died from the wound, leaving family members and residents in shock.
Pathetic development
Confirming the incident in a telephone interview with correspondent Uche Ndeke, the President General of Ekwulobia, Chief Azubuike Ezechukwu, described the development as “pathetic, shocking and unfortunate.”
“It is very painful that such a promising young man, who had been assisting his family and serving as their breadwinner, could be killed in this manner.
“This is not just a loss to the family but to the entire community.”
Chief Ezechukwu further disclosed that the tragedy triggered another loss within hours.
According to him, the father-in-law of the deceased, who had been battling partial stroke, reportedly died after receiving news of his son-in-law’s death.
“The shock was too much for the elderly man,” he said.
Following the attack, the two suspects reportedly fled the community. However, local security operatives apprehended Chigbo at Ezinifite, while Okwudili remains at large as of the time of filing this report.
Community leaders have called for calm and urged residents to allow security agencies to carry out a full investigation.
They also appealed to the fleeing suspect to surrender himself to authorities.
The Anambra State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement confirming the incident.
Meanwhile, residents of Umunankwor village remain stunned that what should have been a solemn period of mourning for a departed patriarch has plunged the family into deeper grief, exposing the devastating consequences of unresolved inheritance disputes.
