By Praise Chinecherem

There is rising tension in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, following the reported death of 80-year-old Paul Onwualu, an aspirant to the local Igweship stool.

Onwualu reportedly died after an encounter with police officers said to be attached to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja, who allegedly arrived in the community alongside individuals opposed to his candidacy.

According to multiple local sources, the officers went to his residence to effect his arrest. The situation allegedly escalated during the operation, during which Onwualu was said to have been assaulted and subsequently taken away in a police vehicle en route to the Ogidi Police Station.

One source claimed he became unconscious before arrival at the station and was instead rushed to Iyi-Enu Mission Hospital in Ogidi, where he was confirmed dead by medical personnel on duty.

His wife, Anthonia Onwualu, corroborated aspects of the account, alleging that her husband was beaten inside their home before being taken away.

“The police came with some people opposing my husband’s Igweship aspiration and stormed our residence at Umusiome. They beat him until he became unconscious before taking him away,” she said. “I was later informed he died on the way to the police station.”

She further alleged that some of the accompanying individuals gained access to the compound by scaling the perimeter fence after the gate was locked.

The development comes amid an ongoing Igweship dispute in the community, which is currently before the High Court in Suit No. HID/72/2026 at Ogidi.

Police Public Relations Officer Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed awareness of the incident but stated that full details were still being compiled at the time of this report.