2 injured, others missing in renewed Ebonyi, Abia land dispute

By Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

Two persons were reportedly wounded and many allegedly missing in a renewed clash between Amata, Ishiagu community in Ivo local government area of Ebonyi and Lokpanta community in Abia state over ownership of farmland.

The two communities, which have been locked in an inter-communal conflict over ownership of a vast arable farmland near their borders, renewed their hostilities which led to two indigenes of Amata allegedly sustaining heavy gun shot wounds.

It was also alleged that many indigenes from Amata community who went missing during the clash were abducted.

A resident of Amata, who spoke anonymously, said that the incident happened on Saturday on the disputed farmland.

The source added that it took the timely intervention of armed policemen from Ivo Division to put the situation under control and prevent a blood-bath.

The source accused the people of Lokpanta of starting the recent crisis.

He said they were in the habit of launching unprovoked sporadic attack during wet season farming activities while laying claim to the lands at the farming area.

He decried the surprise attack on the defenceless, unarmed and elderly farmers who were in their farms for the wet season farming activities by the suspected hoodlums.

“The invaders came shooting sporadically and chasing the farmers with various types of dangerous weapons, two people sustained gun shot wounds in the process, I was lucky to have escaped unhurt”.

He urged the state and federal governments to urgently intervene to save a looming inter-communal war between the two communities.

However, The Nation could not independently verify the claims that Lokpanta community started the crisis.

Police Spokesman in Ebonyi state, Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident.

She said that Ebonyi and and Abia state Police Commands were working to ensure return of full normalcy in the affected area.

She said that both commands have sent detachments of tactical units to patrol the area to prevent unauthorized movement of people from the two communities into the disputed areas.

She said that police would ensure that law and order were maintained to avert any possible outbreak of full armed hostilities that could lead to loss of human lives and destruction of property.

“Our men are in control of the situation; they arrived the scene of crisis and rescued those abducted from the two sides and also aborted a blood-bath; though two persons were confirmed injured from gun shots.

“It was a very unfortunate situation and we are appealing to both communities to sheet their sword and allow dialogue.

“The two police commands will collaborate to ensure that security is maintained in the affected area to prevent the incessant clashes between the two communities.

“The new Commissioner who will be assuming duty at the command on June 1, will be briefed on the development and he will take it up with the Governor to ensure timely intervention of the National Boundary Commission (NBC),” Odah said. (The Nation)