A man identified simply as Gozie allegedly k!lled his lover’s only son in Anambra State for opposing their relationship.
The incident occurred in Uli community in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state on Sunday night, March 15, 2026.
The victim, said to be in his 20s, was reportedly attacked in his room following repeated disagreements with his mother’s lover over his frequent visits to their home.
Residents told Punch that tensions between the deceased and the suspect had persisted for some time, often resulting in heated altercations.
According to an eyewitness, who identified himself simply as Somto, neighbours became suspicious after not seeing the occupants of the compound for days.
“The incident happened on Sunday night at a compound near the Uli campus of Anambra State University. Neighbours said they heard unusual noises that night, but it was when no one was seen for about two days that they decided to check,” he said.
He explained that residents searched the rooms in the compound and discovered the victim’s lifeless body in a pool of blood.
“When they entered the young man’s room, they found his corpse with deep machete cuts on the head and other parts of the body. This drew a crowd, and youths in the area immediately launched a search for the suspect and the boy’s mother, but they had fled,” Somto added.
The incident was subsequently reported to the police, while the remains of the deceased were deposited in a morgue.
A video circulating online shows some youths conveying the corpse in a wheelbarrow through parts of the community while chanting and demanding justice.
Further findings revealed that the deceased’s mother had returned to Uli after the d3ath of her husband, an indigene of the neighbouring Egbu community, where the victim hailed from.
Another resident, Nnamdi Ozoememam, told the publication that the suspect’s relationship with the woman had been a source of persistent conflict.
“A man started visiting the woman regularly, and the boy objected, warning him several times. This often led to quarrels. At some point, the man began staying overnight, which further angered the boy,” he said.
He alleged that on the night of the incident, the suspect attacked the victim while he was asleep.
“After k!lling him, the suspect fled with the boy’s mother. It was only days later that neighbours discovered the body,” he added.
Ozoememam further disclosed that the development sparked outrage among youths from Egbu community, who reportedly stormed the suspect’s family compound and set buildings ablaze in retaliation.
“The situation escalated as some youths carried the corpse around the community before attacking the suspect’s compound and burning houses there,” he said.
A community elder, who spoke on condition of anonymity, condemned both the k!lling and the subsequent mob action, warning against jungle justice.
“It is unfortunate that the situation degenerated to the destruction of property. Stakeholders in Uli and Egbu communities must intervene to prevent further escalation,” he said.
A police source in the Ihiala area disclosed that the case was being documented and would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department.
“The corpse has been recovered and deposited at the morgue. The two principal suspects are currently at large, and investigations are ongoing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident,” the source said.