The Lira City East Division police are intensifying their search for Omara Jonathan, a 35-year-old suspect accused of murdering Opio Morris, a 40-year-old resident of Atongoko village, Ajia parish, Itek Sub-County in Erute South Lira District.
According to North Kyoga Region Police PRO SP Jimmy Patrick Okema, the incident occurred on October 17, 2024, at around 9:00 PM, and was reported to Abolet police station.
Okema stated that Opio Morris was ambushed and attacked by Omara Jonathan while returning home. The suspect inflicted severe injuries to the deceased’s left forehead and leg using a hoe. Initial police investigations suggest that the suspect misled community members by claiming the deceased was a thief, while actual information revealed an underlying land dispute between the two men.
On October 10, 2024, the deceased’s goats had strayed into the suspect’s potato garden and caused damage. The matter was resolved by the local LCI chairman, Mr. Ikika Isaac, with a compensation of 10,000 shillings being paid to the suspect. However, the suspect was dissatisfied with the amount, demanding 30,000 shillings.
Opio Morris, a cook at Acol Pii Army Secondary School in Pader District, had recently returned home when the incident occurred.
Upon receiving the report, police officers from Lira City East Division responded to the crime scene and registered a case of murder by cutting. The crime scene was examined and documented by the Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO).
The deceased’s body was transported to Lira Regional Referral Hospital’s mortuary for a post-mortem examination, and statements were recorded from relevant witnesses.
The suspect remains at large, while the suspected murder weapon, a hoe stained with blood, was recovered from the scene and presented as evidence.
Police strongly condemned the heinous act of killing and urged Omara Jonathan to surrender to any nearby police station for investigation and prosecution. Failure to do so could result in dire consequences, including being lynched by the community.
