A tragic domestic dispute has claimed the life of an immigration officer serving at the Abia State Command, identified as Chidiebere James, popularly known as “Agali,” following a violent altercation with his wife in Umuizi community, Umuogba Ohuhu, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State.

According to a family source and an eyewitness who spoke at the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, where the officer was confirmed dead, the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, February 16, 2026.

Sources disclosed that the crisis began a day earlier after the couple reportedly engaged in a heated argument over their sick child and the officer’s alleged inability to provide funds for medical treatment. The disagreement was said to have worsened following accusations of infidelity after the wife allegedly discovered incriminating messages on the deceased’s mobile phone.

Family members, including the deceased’s sister, were said to have intervened and temporarily restored calm. However, tensions reportedly resurfaced the following morning, leading to another confrontation inside their residence.

During the renewed quarrel, the altercation allegedly became physical. In the course of the struggle, the officer’s phone was reportedly damaged, prompting him to seize and destroy his wife’s phone in retaliation. The situation allegedly escalated when the woman reportedly picked up a pair of scissors and stabbed him.

He was said to have collapsed shortly after the incident and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

The development has thrown the Umuizi community into mourning, with residents expressing concern over rising cases of domestic violence and the devastating consequences of unresolved family disputes.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement, while investigations are expected to determine the full circumstances surrounding the officer’s death.