Hell was let loose on Tuesday in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State as one person was shot dead, another beheaded in a renewed boundary dispute which broke out between Igbide and Okpolo-Enwhe communities just as many others were reportedly seriously injured.
It could be recalled that the two warring communities had few months ago entered into a peace accord that collapsed on Monday, December 5, 2016 when youths from both communities engaged themselves in fresh crisis.
Findings revealed that one Mr. Felix Abrere, a hunter was allegedly beheaded on his way to the farm while another victim, Mr. Ezeze Udumedjeno, was allegedly shot dead on Tuesday morning.
It was learnt that one of the victims was killed about 6:am near a bridge between the two communities while the other was beheaded in a reprisal attack on his way to the farm.
Contacted for confirmation, Mr. Sunday Egboye, President-General, Okpolo-Enwhe community who confirmed the incident, accused Igbide community of igniting the fresh attacks by allegedly attacking their people.
According to Mr. Egboye, “it was the people of Igbide that invaded our community and started chasing our people from their houses and one person, Mr. Ezeze Udumedjeno was shot dead while two other indigenes of our community were injured.
“As we speak, those that are injured have been taken to the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara, for treatment. They are the people always coming to us for trouble; we have never one day mobilized to meet them. They are the people always attacking us.”
Reacting swiftly, Chief David Edegware, President-General, Igbide community said that what provoked the renewed hostility was the alleged abduction of three farmers who are indigenes of his community, he said that one of the victims, Abrere, was killed by his captors and his head taken away by the attackers suspected to be from the neighbouring community of Okpolo-Enwhe.
Chief Edegware disclosed that other abductees were still missing and had not been seen since Monday when they were kidnapped in their farmlands, he added, “on Monday, Okpolo-Enwhe people invaded our farmlands and abducted three farmers. The three persons are still missing as we speak (on Tuesday, December 6, 2016).
“Later, same day, they tried to invade our community and there was commotion. It was soldiers who were on ground that helped to quell the crisis. Then today, one of our indigene, Mr. Felix Abrere was beheaded and they took his head away.”
When contacted for confirmation, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, Police Public Relations Officer (P.P.R.O.), Delta State Command could not be reached as calls to his mobile phone rang repeatedly without response while text message to his line on the incident was not replied at the time of filing this report.
It could also be recalled that the Igbide and Okpolo-Enwhe boundary dispute had lingered for the last 40 years and degenerated in May 6, 2016 leading to the killing of several persons and destruction of properties.
Hon. Itiako Constantine Ikpokpo, chairman, Isoko South Council has appealed to the warring communities to sheath their sword and stop the senseless killing.
No comments:
Post a Comment