From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
A pregnant woman and five other persons have been killed in a renewed land dispute between the people of Ndukwe community, Amasiri in Afikpo Local Government and Okporojo in Oso, Edda LG of Ebonyi State.
Houses and other properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed in the renewed hostilities.
The two neighbouring communities have been at war for decades over land matters with many lives lost and properties worth billions of naira destroyed.
The renewed hostilities has led to people form Edda LG, taking a detour through Afikpo town for fear of being attacked on Amasiri road.
Chairman, Edda LG, Chima Ekumankama, confirmed the renewed hostilities.
He noted that security operatives have been deployed to restore normalcy.
He pointed out that he has visited the area to reassure the people of government’s commitment towards ending the lingering dispute.
Ekumankama commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for taking proactive steps by moving security agents to the area.
“I can assure you that normalcy and peace have returned to the area. I personally visited the area and witnessed the level of destruction done and as we speak, there are enough security personnel in the area to forestall a reoccurrence.”
Chairman of Afikpo LGA, Timothy Nwachi, also explained that the state government had deployed security operatives to the buffer zone to de-escalate tension and restore normalcy in the two communities.
He described the renewed hostilities as unfortunate and appealed to the people of Amasiri to remain calm pending government’s decision on the matter.