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.