Aladja/Ogbe-Ijoh, Isaba In Counter claims Of Attacks As Ceasefire Collapses

Warring Aladja/Ogbe-Ijaw communities are at loggerhead again.

The two arrowheads embroiled in the aged-long land dispute on Thursday began their counter claims of responsibility for the renewed attacks.

BigPen Online gathered that the two unrepentant warring communities, joined by Isaba,  a neighbouring Ijaw community are claiming fatalities of the renewed crisis which broke out on Thursday morning.

Speaking to journalists about the outbreak, youth President of Aladja, Wisdom Onatomre, claimed that they lost one Kelly Onoduaire, age 21, in the clash with four others injured.

In a counter claim, Ogbe-Ijoh in a statement through one of its community leaders, Monday Keme laid claim to, “death of yet to be ascertained person with five injured”.

Isaba, another Ijaw neighbour community declared two boys injured.

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Trading blames on who instigated the renewed armed battle, Keme state that, “At about 7:45am on Thursday November 16, Aladja attacked Isaba and by 8:45am another attack was launched against Ogbe-Ijoh for about 2 hours leading to death of yet to be ascertained number of persons. Five persons were critically wounded and now receiving treatment”

Keme’s statement, however, bore conflict of timing with that of Ogugu, Isaba Youth leader who said, “Aladja attacked Pere-Ama Isaba çommunity at about 7.12am. They passed through Olori Waterside with a boat to Pamiaye in Isaba kingdom and walked through to attack the people of Pere-Ama.

“They were putting on army camouflage. The gunfire was so serious that two of our boys were injured and taking treatment. They are Austine Eyomi Godspower Pukea.”

Continuing, Keme reiterated, “It is very unfortunate that the Delta State Government is yet to implement its findings on how to resolve the boundary dispute between the two communities. 

“We, again, call on the Federal Government to intervene as the Governor of Delta State from all indications lacks the political will to enforce his own pronouncements in an attempt to resolve the boundary dispute”, he said.

Narrating Aladja’s own ordeal, Onatomre said, “Lately, Isaba and Ogbe-Ijoh, are fond of the unholy alliance of launching a two prognom attack against Aladja simultaneously. Yesterday, they were at it again. We started hearing gunfire from Isaba axis at dawn.

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“By 6.30am, they started pushing in from their respective outskirts of our community routes to their sides. As I speak with you, they have Kelly Onodauire, 21. Bowmen Kingsley, Cassius Owolo, Anthony Onoriode, Wilson Patani and Victory Austin are seriously wounded and in intensive care in one hospital.”

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Aniamake said, “I have been made aware, I am intouch with the Area Commander and our men on ground, but we cannot rush into details in a hurry.

“We will do everything humanly possible within our means to ensure law and order prevail. We have the wherewithal, but suffice it to say that ultimately, the enduring solution is that the people by themselves see reasons to sheathe their swords and live in peace and harmony”, Aniamaka said. 

BigPen Online recalls that leaders of the communities in Warri South West local government area of the state, who recently entered into a ceasefire agreement with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state had engaged in series of blame trading with increasely media war in the past over a parcel of land which has become a subject of politicking in the state. 

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