By Chidi Nkwopara

OWERRI—Confusion has enveloped the people of Umueze II in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, following the discovery of the lifeless body of a man identified as Levi Uduji, hanging from a tree close to their Onoezeala stream.

Vanguard investigation revealed that the incident occurred at a place the natives call Ubara Umuoparaiwe farmland, adjacent a stream.

Meanwhile, although the remains of late Uduji had been buried, tension is mounting between two neighbouring communities: Umuoparaiwe, where the incident occurred, and Umuduruoma, where Uduji hailed from.

Apart from being angry that Uduji defiled their land, Umuoparaiwe said late Uduji’s kinsmen buried his remains near the suicide scene and carried out some rituals without their consent and approval.

The late Uduji, a father of seven, hailed from Umuduruoma village, Umuozu autonomous community, but had spent the greater part of his life in Benin, Edo State, with his family before relocating home.

A villager, who spoke to Vanguard on grounds anonymity, said the deceased left his house with the impression that he was going to visit his sister at Umuezeala Owerre, adding that nobody knew he hid a wrapper in a polythene bag.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, could not be reached for comments at press time.