Land Deal Turns Deadly as Friend Allegedly Hires Assassins to Murder 56-Year-Old in Anambra

A friend in Anambra State allegedly hired two assassins who murdered his friend in an attempt to conceal money he had fraudulently collected from him in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Ifeanyi Nwankwo, 32, allegedly arranged the assassination of Mr Kelechi Madu, 56, after collecting money from him under the guise of assisting him to acquire a piece of land.

According to a statement issued by the Anambra State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly obtained money fraudulently from the deceased under the guise of assisting him to acquire a piece of land.

“The Anambra State Police Command has uncovered the circumstances surrounding the gruesome murder of a 56-year-old man, Mr Kelechi Madu, in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of the state.

“The revelation followed the arrest of his friend, Mr Ifeanyi Nwankwo, 32, who allegedly confessed to plotting the murder and engaging two other persons to execute the act,” he said.

According to Ikenga, following a report received on August 18, 2026, from the wife of the deceased that her husband had gone out on the evening of August 17, 2026, and had not returned home, police operatives, in collaboration with members of the local vigilante group and the deceased’s family, immediately commenced inquiries and a search operation to establish his whereabouts.

He said that later that evening, the wife returned to the police station in distress and reported that her husband had been found dead in a nearby bush at Umuobi, Awkuzu.

Ikenga said police operatives immediately mobilised to the scene, where the deceased was found lying lifeless with a deep axe wound to his head.

He said the corpse was subsequently evacuated and deposited at a hospital for preservation.

According to him, in the course of the investigation, the Command arrested Mr Ifeanyi Nwankwo, a friend of the deceased, who allegedly confessed to his involvement in the planning and killing of Mr Kelechi Madu.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly obtained money fraudulently from the deceased under the guise of assisting him to acquire a piece of land.

In an attempt to conceal the alleged fraudulent transaction and suppress the money obtained from the deceased, the suspect reportedly hired two other persons to murder him.

“The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, psc, mnips, has directed that the investigation be intensified to identify and arrest all persons involved in the conspiracy and murder. The Command is determined to ensure that every person connected to the crime is brought to justice.
“The Command further assures the people of Anambra State that it will continue to strengthen intelligence-led policing and community partnership to prevent violent crimes, unravel criminal activities and ensure that perpetrators face the full weight of the law,” he stated.