Ovie Okpare, Warri
No fewer than seven persons have been reportedly killed and many injured in renewed boundary dispute between Igbide and Enwhe communities in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The PUNCH reliably learnt that houses were also razed in both communities, rendering many homeless.
Our correspondent gathered that the clash happened between Sunday and Monday.
Although, the cause of the Sunday clash was still hazy, sources told our correspondent that the fight started between some indigenes of the communities who had gone to farm on the disputed land.
A source told The PUNCH that seven persons were killed at Enwhe community while about five houses were burnt. Nine persons reportedly sustained life-threatening gunshot wounds.
Another source added that although nobody was killed in Igbide, many were injured and houses were set ablaze in the fracas.
“Our community has been deserted. Many of our people have been killed. I counted at least seven corpses , including Okaitha Odoko, Evuazeze, Edhereveno, Oke Owhewe among others. Some of the houses burnt included that of Chief S.O. Ikeneku and Joel Igbudu,” a source added.
A source from Igbide said, “We have been maintaining our stand on the order of the state government, local government, and Isoko Development Union, but the other people are not keeping to the order, people were in church on Sunday when they invaded our community and we cannot fold our hands to allow them to have it, it is not possible.
“Many of our people are in serious danger following injuries they sustained. Many houses were equally burnt. The entire town has been deserted and scores of persons are currently seeking safety in neighbouring communities. As we speak, I am taking refuge in Ughelli, so are many of our people.”
Although the President-General of Enwhe, Sunday Egboye, confirmed the incident when contacted on Monday night, he declined to give details. He said he was not in a safe environment to speak on the crisis.
The President-General of Igbide community, Chief D.S. Edegware, could not be reached for comment as his telephone line was not connecting as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the National President of Isoko Students, Jabin Innocent, has called on the state government and the Isoko Development Union to resolve the crisis between the communities.
Effort to confirm the incident from the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim, was unsuccessful as calls to his mobile phone were not picked while a text message to his phone was not responded as of the time of filing this report.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Aniamaka, when contacted said he was in Abuja, attending a conference and had not been briefed on the incident.
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