Renewed hostilities between Ogwo in Ishiagu Community and neighbours in Akaeze both in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi have claimed two lives, our correspondent reports.
Ishiagu and Akaeze communities have been embroiled in decades of boundary dispute that has claimed hundreds of lives in both sides of the warring communities.
Reacting to the latest hostility, Chief Emmanuel Aja, chairman of Ivo Local Government Area in a press release on Sunday made available to newmen in Abakaliki condemned the killing and vowed to unmask those responsible.
Aja who promised to fish out the killers said that no one involved in perpetrating evil in the council nor involved in killing human beings in the area that would go unpunished.
The council boss who condemned in the strongest term the dastardly killing charged security agencies to beef up security in the council especially around the crisis areas area to avoid reprsaisal attacks.
“I strongly condemn the gruesome murder of two indigenes of Ogwor community in Ishiagu by people suspected to be attackers from Umobor community in Akaeze all within Ivo Local Government Area.
“This is a resultant effect of a land dispute between the two communities which has lasted for decades, and my administration has done her best to handle this issue since we came on board.
“A committee I formed has mediated on this issue and came up with a resolution that the said land shall be parcelled this November 2024; a solution adopted by the stakeholders of the two communities, but to my suprise, this evil act came up.
“As of this morning, I have notified all relevant authorities, both in government and in the military; and I visited the scene of the incident alongside the Divisional Police Orficer (DPO) of Ivo Division to express our condolences to the victims’ families.
“We are committed to fostering a peaceful atmosphere in the involved communities and I used the visit to appeal to Ogwor community not to seek revenge for the killings but to trust in my ability to address these security challenges.
” I also communicated the same message to the Umobor community to help prevent further escalation that may lead to more casualties.
“Furthermore, I pledge to apprehend the unscrupulous individuals responsible for this heinous act; as no killer will go unpunished,” Aja said.
The council boss called on the feuding communities to sheath their swords and maintain calm as the report of the standing committee would be implemented to address the longstanding boundary dispute.
“My administration will always rise to the occasion when faced with insecurity, and we will not relent in our commitment to tackling security challenges with the resources at our disposal.
” I promise never to betray this trust. We are equal to the situation, and the issue must be given a lasting solution,” he added.
Mr Joshua Ukandu, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) confirmed the incident saying that two indigenes from Ogwo community in Ishiagu were confirmed killed in the renewed boundary conflict by yet to be identified persons.
“Yes, we have received report of the killing of two indigenes of Ogwo community in Ishiagu. The killing took place at a farm settlement called Ayaragu Ogwo which belongs to Ogwo community.
“Investigation is ongoing to unravel the motive behind the killing and bring perpetrators to justice,” Ukandu said. ENDS//
