Land Dispute: Pastor Loses Brother, Wife, Three Children To Alleged Food Poisoning

Tragedy has struck Neke Akpani Autonomous Community in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, as five members of a family reportedly died after eating a suspected poisoned meal.

The victims, identified as Barnabas Ikeze, his wife, Angela, and their three children, Divine, Gift, and Victor, were said to have developed severe stomach cramps shortly after their evening meal on Friday, August 29, 2025.

It was gathered that the family was rushed to FaithLand Clinic in Ikem, headquarters of Isi-Uzo LGA, due to the absence of a functional hospital in Neke Town. Sadly, two of the children, Divine and Gift, died before medical attention could save them.

Their father, Barnabas, his wife, Angela, and two other sons, Marvellous and Victor, were initially stabilised at the hospital, but events took a dramatic turn when the mother and two sons later died between August 30 and 31, leaving only Marvellous alive.

Speaking in tears, Pastor Ignatius Ikeze, elder brother to the deceased, alleged that the tragedy may have been linked to a long-standing land dispute.

He recalled that a man from their community had allegedly threatened to wipe out his brother’s family after losing a case during a clan meeting.

“One of my sisters told me the man vowed to kill my brother after the land dispute judgment. She even said he came to the hospital to confirm if they were all dead,” Pastor Ikeze narrated.

He further accused a nurse at the hospital of foul play, claiming that he caught her tampering with his sister-in-law’s oxygen mask on Sunday night.

“I rushed into the ward and saw her removing the oxygen from my brother’s wife and putting something into her mouth. Before I could raise alarm properly, she fled. By the next day, my brother and his last child were dead,” he alleged.

Pastor Ikeze disclosed that the police had arrested the man accused of issuing the threats, while the nurse was briefly detained but later released. He insisted that justice must be served for his late brother’s family.

“My brother’s soul and those of his wife and children will not rest without justice. We are appealing to the Enugu State Government and the police to ensure that those responsible are brought to book,” he said.

When contacted for comments on Thursday evening, the spokesperson of the Enugu State Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe, could not be reached on the telephone. A text message sent to his line had yet to be responded to as of the time of filing this report.

Sodiq Lawal

Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.

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