Novena final year student was violently murdered in communal clash

The death of the missing Nathaniel Davis Edehwosa has been confirmed following the discovery of his corpse on the 1st June 2017. Nathaniel was a final year student of Accounting at Novena University Ogume, and was on the verge of concluding both his project as well as commencing the second semester final examination.



His death has been linked to a communal dispute over land/boundary between the Ukwuani people of Amai, Obiaruku and Eziorkpor (in Ndukwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria).


Nathaniel who is an innocent indigene of Eku in Ethiope East Local Government Area, was kidnapped along Obiaruku-Amai Road two day prior to the discovery of his decomposed body by a search party comprising of the university private security and local vigilante group in Amai. His abductors set up a road block and are believed to be agitating youths from Obiaruku armed with pump-action rifles. He was the only passenger in the vehicle that was abducted, while the other occupants were speared, including some of Nathaniel’s schoolmates who immediately reported the incident to the school authorities upon reaching their destination. He was last seen by his colleagues being dragged into the forest by the roadside as he pleaded for his life.
However, the driver of the bus that was conveying Nathaniel Edehwose at the time of his kidnapping, has been arrested. The driver is a chieftainsy title holder from Obiaruku and might be able to make positive identification of the adductors who are allegedly from his village.
As of today 4th June 2017, the Obiaruku-Amai-Owe-Emu Obiogo Road is deserted. Most motorist prefer to take the alternative rut of Akoko Umu through Utaba Uno, Kwale and Ogume (just to avoid that conflict zone). About a dozen other people have been murdered over the weekend. Unfortunately, the campus of Novena University is situated at Amai.
The Delta State Police Commands’ spokesperson, Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed Edehwosa’s abduction but said he could not verify the death of the final year student. However, in a follow-up statement, Delta state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zanna called for peace and asked the traditional rulers, community leaders and youth leaders to work together to ensure the release of all abductees. The State Governor has already given a one week ultimatum for their freedom and further threaten to hold these leaders accountable for any unrest in their area. The police has beefed up security at that area and imposed a 5pm to 8am curfew at the disputed zone.