Three die as communities fight over land in Edo

By SUYI AYODELE, Benin

Not fewer than three persons were reportedly killed following boundary dispute between Sabongida-Ora, headquarters of Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, and Uhonmora-Ora, another community in the council area.

Tribune Online gathered that the crisis started on Sunday when some people went to measure the land at the boundary between the two communities.

The demarcation exercise, it was further gathered, infuriated the youths of both communities, who mobilised to the area and started fighting one another, using dangerous weapons.

The development forced schools and businesses in the locality to hurriedly close down as the warring youths engaged one another in the battle of ownership of the disputed boundary mark.

A source in the area who preferred anonymity said: “the crisis started three days ago when some people went to measure the land at the boundary between the two communities and they were attacked.”

The source added that the motorcycles used in transporting people to the place were destroyed.

“As I speak to you now nobody comes to Uhonmora from Sabongida and nobody comes to Sabongida from Uhonmora for fear of being killed. Three people have been killed so far. We can no longer move freely”, he claimed.

Youths from both communities blocked the busy Ifon – Iruekpen Federal Road for almost the three days running, paralysing commercial and other activities in the localities and motorists prevented from passing through the communities.

The member representing Owan Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, has called on the warring faction to embrace peace.

Ihonvbere who stated this in a statement, said, “I am unhappy over this ugly incident that has created unrest, tension and closure of business activities in Owan West. This is coming at a time when we should be joining hands to mobilise resources to empower our women and youths. It is so sad to see persons of the same family turn on one another. It is also a reflection of intolerance, unemployment and lack of investment in Owan West.”

“I sympathise with the families of the victims, including those injured in the fracas. I call on traditional, religious, community and political leaders to urgently wade into the matter with a view to restoring lasting peace and harmony.” Ihonvbere pleaded.

When contacted, the Edo State Police Command said that a team of the Mobile Police Force had been dispatched to the area to join forces with the ones on the ground to restore peace.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the command, Bello Kontongs, who made this disclosure, added that “the situation in the area as at today, is a lot calmer than it was on Tuesday.”

 (Nigerian Tribune)