Vietnam Returnee Killed In Abia Communal Clash

A Nigerian man based in Vietnam, identified as Samson Nwaubani, lost his life in a violent clash between the Okwu and Umuajata communities in Umuahia, Abia State.

The incident reportedly took place on Tuesday, August 27, during the annual New Yam festival in Olokoro.

Trouble began after a disagreement between a resident of Umuajata and someone from Okwu spiraled into a larger fight.

According to Punch, the situation worsened when youths from Okwu allegedly invaded Umuajata, destroying properties and fueling further tensions.

On the day of the festival, Samson was said to be passing through Umuajata with a group of Okwu youths on their way to the celebration grounds.

It was at this point they were allegedly ambushed by Umuajata youths, sparking a bloody confrontation.

During the fight, Samson was stabbed and reportedly collapsed on the spot.

A source explained, “The New Yam festival holds in phases, and the one held last Tuesday was ongoing when a fight broke out between youths around the Umuajata area.

“We were later told that Samson and some men from Okwu were heading to the festival when some members of Umuajata attacked them. It was during the fight that he was st@bbed in the neck and also macheted in his arm before he bled to death.”

Another community source revealed that the tragedy stemmed from an unresolved dispute between the two villages.

According to the source, elders had earlier attempted to settle the matter and warned against violence, but the tensions still flared.

“What happened was as a result of a lingering dispute between the Okwu Olokoro and Umuajata Olokoro communities.

When the problem started, the elders reached out to them to settle their differences. They also warned them against engaging in an act that could escalate the matter.

“Aside from the person who was k!lled, some people were also injured during the ambush,” the source narrated.

Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom State Police Command has launched an investigation into the killing of 45-year-old Udeme Uko, who was found dead while sleeping with his family inside a church in Ukanafun Local Government Area.