By Vitus Chimuanya

A middle-aged widow, Mrs. Victoria Odeh, has been shot dead in Abavo, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, in an incident that has heightened concerns over violent property disputes and insecurity in the community.

The deceased’s maternal family alleged that the killing may be connected to a prolonged inheritance dispute involving her only son and two of her late husband’s siblings, as well as alleged threats from suspected cult members.

However, the Delta State Police Command has yet to officially establish the motive behind the murder or identify the attackers.

According to family sources, Mrs. Odeh, an indigene of Igbogili in Abavo, was killed in the early hours of Saturday, June 27, 2026, after unidentified gunmen reportedly stormed her residence on Ikechukwu Street, Ezeofun, Alidogun, Abavo.

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A source close to the family, who spoke anonymously for security reasons, said the widow and her only son, Amechi Ikechukwu, had allegedly endured years of intimidation linked to ownership of a borrow pit and other landed properties belonging to her late husband, Mr. Ikechukwu Odeh, located in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The dispute reportedly started after Mr. Odeh’s death in 2008, with disagreements over the ownership of the borrow pit between Amechi and two of his late father’s siblings, identified as Andy Odeh and David Odeh.

The family further claimed that tensions worsened in 2021 after Amechi allegedly declined to swear an oath before the Ikenga shrine over the inheritance dispute, citing his Christian beliefs.

According to the family, the disagreement later escalated into violence on March 5, 2021, when armed men allegedly attacked the disputed borrow pit, resulting in a gun battle that claimed the lives of two security operatives.

Family members also alleged that Amechi subsequently received threats from individuals they identified as members of the Aye Confraternity (Neo-Black Movement), who allegedly demanded information about those responsible for the deaths of the security personnel.

These allegations have not been independently confirmed by security agencies.

A neighbour, who also requested anonymity, claimed the attackers arrived at Mrs. Odeh’s home around 4:00 a.m. searching for her son.

The witness alleged that after informing them she had not seen Amechi since he fled in 2021, the gunmen threatened Mrs. Odeh before shooting her dead.

Residents described the killing as tragic and appealed to security agencies to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation.

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Community leaders also called for investigators to revisit both the 2021 killings linked to the disputed property and the recent murder of Mrs. Odeh to establish the facts and prevent further violence.

The Diocesan President of the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), Issele-Uku Diocese, Ezinne Patricia Obiageli Nwanze, described the deceased as a committed church member and urged authorities to ensure justice is served through a transparent investigation.