Pastor, two others killed over land dispute

CALABAR—Founder of Faith Builders Ministry, in Calabar, Cross River State, Rev. John Ene-Obong and two members of the church, have been allegedly killed over a land dispute.

Rev. Ene-Obong, who was allegedly killed penultimate Monday by irate youths over a land dispute in Ikot Ene-Obong community of the metropolis, was said to have returned to Nigeria from Canada barely a week before his death.

The pastor was allegedly killed alongside two others, whose names were given as Effiong Koko-Ette and Victor Ene-Boco.

Investigations revealed that the disputed land belongs to the family of the slain pastor and the death was a reprisal attack over an earlier killing of one Eton, who was killed in the same farm land over allegation that he was responsible for the maiming of another man identified as Effiong.

Effiong, it was gathered, was a victim of the protracted land dispute and now lives with just one leg after several gun shots, which led to one of his legs being amputated.

A family source, who did not want his name in print, said the pastor went on an inspection visit in company of the two other victims, when the incident occurred.

State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. John Umoh, said investigations were ongoing, adding that six persons had been arrested in connection with the killings, while the principal suspect was at large.

He said, “The state Criminal Investigation Department had taken over the matter. Six persons have so far been arrested in connection with that killing. There is one principal suspect that is still at large. However, those arrested are still in our custody and we would not release them until investigations had been concluded.”