A couple was at the weekend murdered in cold blood in their home in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area by unknown assailants yet to be arrested.

The incident which took place at Umuota village is alleged to have been carried out by suspected assassins who unleashed mayhem on the couple in the dead of the night while they were sleeping.

According to sources, the couple, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ifekandu, after taking their dinner went to bed, oblivious of the evil lying in wait until late into the night when people in the neighbourhood were startled from their sleep by gunshot sounds.

News Express gathered that the couple were the only tenants killed in the compound even as nothing was stolen from their apartment.

It was also learnt that while the shooting lasted, there was no security intervention, either from the police or the local vigilante group.

A family source who spoke to journalists, however, said the murder of the couple may not be unconnected to the long-standing land tussle in the family.

He said: “There has been rancour between the immediate family members of Charles Ifekandu. The killers may have originated from their family.

“I am aware that there have been an age long issue in the family of the deceased over a landed property, and one is left to suspect that what happened to the couple may not be far from their immediate family.

“We suspect their killers were contracted by some people believed to have land issue with the man.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mohammed Haruna, who confirmed the incident, said his office has been briefed, adding that the police have spread their tentacles with a view to nabbing the suspects.

He urged members of the public to assist the police with any useful information that can help police arrest the suspects.

Update news