AGULERI-OTU community in Anambra-East Council of Anambra State, led by the traditional ruler, Igwe Alex Edozieuno, the Eze Ndo, has urged the Enugu and Kogi State governments to call their respective indigenes to order over what they community described as their continued inflammatory public utterances over the actual location of the oil well recently commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan.

But the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi, said: “There is a lot of misinformation about the crisis. The impression that war has broken out between the two groups is not true. Yes, there is tension on both sides, but this tension is borne out of the exercise being carried out by the National Boundaries Commission (NBC)”.

Igwe Edozieuno urged those who have issues with the location of the oil well or boundaries of his kingdom to follow it up with the NBC and or the office of the Surveyor General of the Federation in the Presidency, saying that it is the most reasonable thing to do in the circumstances, instead of causing tension in the area.

Reacting to comments and publications by some Kogi and Enugu indigenes, the monarch noted: “Our attention has been drawn to the spate of unnecessary and erroneous claims being made in the media by some elements in Kogi and Enugu States over ownership of the area of land in Aguleri-otu, where Orient Petroleum Resources Plc oil production facilities are situated.”

He is particularly worried that some individuals from Kogi have taken the matter even to the National Assembly, urging that their state be allowed to partake in the benefit of the 13 per cent derivation fund constitutionally reserved for oil producing states.

“The scenario being painted that the area of land where Orient is currently drilling for oil is theirs or at best, in contention. This impression is entirely false, tendentious and malicious,” the monarch insisted.

He said ownership and possession of the area by the Aguleri-otu people was from time immemorial and never in contention or doubt and that no one would cede the oil location or any portion of Aguleri-Otu land to anyone, community or state. He averred that the area was well defined from history of their ancestors, which was further reaffirmed by the court verdict in the suit instituted by Igga community of Enugu State.

He disclosed that in February 1932, the area was granted to the Federal Government of Nigeria, vide a formal agreement dated 14/2/32 between Aguleri-Otu people and the then Colonial Governor of Nigeria, Sir G. Thomson.

“In the said agreement, the northern boundary of the area, as granted, was clearly marked and defined. Subsequently, in 1936, by order made pursuant to the Forestry Ordinance, the Governor of Nigeria constituted this area into a Forest Reserve called Anambra Forest Reserve. Our people have since been receiving royalties for this area,” Edozieuno added.

He disclosed that their forebears who lived in the area were set apart in the Forest Reserve area in four enclaves – Oguejiofor, Menkiti, Chiozie and Obed enclaves, all Aguleri people.

He also pointed out that the Anambra State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has a polling centre, the Ngenejo polling centre, where his people always cast their votes during all national general elections and there were no Kogi or Enugu people or voters living there.

The monarch said that even the lone pontoon operating in the waterways linking his community with their feuding neighbours is owned by him, and he has used it to the serve of all peacefully for decades.

“Secondly, by the provisions of Northern Region, Western Region and Eastern Region (Definition of Boundaries) Proclamation 1954, the Northern boundaries of Eastern Region were defined to include this area.

“Specified landmarks defining our boundary include Lake Itolo and Rivers Odah and Inalo as stated in the said instrument. These features are well known to our brothers of Ibaji in Kogi State, more so, all the Federal Government gazettes of 1927, 1931, 1954 and those of 1967-73 clearly defined all the boundaries. We have all the records banked in very safe custody till appropriate moment of need.

“More importantly, and aside from the fore-going official instruments, the people of Aguleri-Otu and their neighbors and still do live in peace today. It is therefore callous for some agents of darkness to seek to stoke the fire of discord between us simply because of petroleum.”

The Aguleri monarch pointed out that with these facts, “we wish to remind our brothers on both divides that oil is a national resource, which the federal Government exploits and applies to the general good of all Nigerians, irrespective of the locus of the oil wells.

“Above all, Orient is still prospecting for more oil within the oil blocks allocated to it which, as we are made to understand, extend to neighbouring states, including Kogi and Enugu.

“Oil production, therefore, in the existing oil wells, which are located within Aguleri-Otu of Anambra State, should attract the felicitation of our neighbours, rather than their envy and indignity, since all our neighbours will reap whatever there are in terms of enhanced economic development in our community.”

He also urged them to sheathe their sword, stating that nothing should be done to disrupt the activities of the oil prospecting firm, as all of them stand to benefit from their activities.

Awoniyi told The Guardian that the President called the governors of the two states some months ago, following the oil find in Odeke area in Kogi State by a company owned essentially by Anambra citizens.

He said: “This led to the erroneous belief that the land is in Anambra. It is quite clear now that the oil well is in a disputed territory.

“Until the NBC is able to decide, using legal notices and ethnographic differences, where the oil well is situated, no clear declaration can be made as to the exact place the oil resides. This is the underlining issue.

“We in Kogi will continue to impress it on our people not to take laws into their hands. The scenario that is also causing the crisis is that Anambra says it has invested N4 billion and that asset is in the bush.

“To protect that investment from vandals and unwanted enemies – not necessarily from Kogi communities – Anambra State set up a joint patrol team to ensure the asset is protected.

“My point is when this patrol is moving around, our people see their movement as an impending attempt to take over and colonise their farmlands.

“On the other side, when the patrol team see our people, they are not sure whether they are moving towards their asset or going to their farmlands.

“The mutual suspicion that exists on either sides is a major source of tension, constantly. Because Kogi State does not have a similar patrol team along that area, because we don’t have any need for it, our citizens who see this Anambra patrol team and feel threatened now constituted a vigilante group to forestall an imagined invasion.

“Kogi State Government has appealed to them to leave the bushes. After hearing their concerns, a detachment of policemen from Kogi State Police Command has been deployed to the two communities within Kogi State and their presence gives the assurance that they will not be invaded.

“With this development, my boss, Governor Idris Wada, has sent top government officials from Kogi, who are in touch with our counterparts in Anambra. ”


http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=118051:aguleri-warns-enugu-kogi-govts-over-oil-war&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

It appears that these people knows little about Aguleri people's war chest. These people can level entire state.

No wonder the editor of guardian tagged it "Aguleri warns Kogi and Enugu states".

They should stay off our oil and focus on their farming.

Oil and it's problem.

Ndigbo are too divided for my liking. Oil discovered in the east that should make us all happy has become and object of envy between enugu and anambra.

We can't achieve much if we continue like this.something good has happened in ala igbo, we should all celebrate instead of fight.

mekaboy: Ndigbo are too divided for my liking. Oil discovered in the east that should make us all happy has become and object of envy between enugu and anambra.

We can't achieve much if we continue like this.something good has happened in ala igbo, we should all celebrate instead of fight.

Enugu/Igga Community has been reserved since this oil ownership dispute has been on air. I wonder why This Igwe is mentioning Enugu. Moreover why not allow NBC to do their work and quit media propaganda

@Mekaboy; Our Enugu brothers have been matured in stating their positions unlike kogi people who are bound to fail in their evil quest to snatch what doesnt clearly belongs to them out of envy. The oil deposits may extend to Enugu state but not to Kogi state who are propagating all forms of falsehood to deceive the gullible public into believing their lies. ALL HISTORICAL, LEGAL, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL EVIDENCES SHOWS THAT THE PRODUCING OIL WELLS BELONGS TO ANAMBRA STATE; ALTHOUGH, ENUGU HAVE SOME OIL WELLS WHOSE EXPLORATION BY ORIENT PETROLEUM HAS GOTTEN TO AN ADVANCED STAGE. Nothing should be done to jeopardise to operation of Orient Petroleum in the anambra basin.

^^
Village center story

Eko Atlantic: ^^
Village center story

eko mumu, how many oyel Wells do we have in eko Atlantic? am waiting

.

mekaboy: Ndigbo are too divided for my liking. Oil discovered in the east that should make us all happy has become and object of envy between enugu and anambra.

We can't achieve much if we continue like this.something good has happened in ala igbo, we should all celebrate instead of fight.

Discovery of oil in ala Igbo at this time is not a blessing. Even in my place, the topography and all signifies there could be oil in commercial quantity but we are ensuring it is not exploited yet until there is a sharing formulae that will be beneficial to all and most all, the owners of the oil.

Oil or no oil, Coal City state will develop; the foundation has been laid. Enugu state can make more money by exporting cashew nuts than from selling a few thousands of barrels of oil. The state's proven coal deposits can equally be exported or used to power 4 large electricity turbines, all at the same time for all the eastern states electricity requirements. Anyi ama bu enyi n'isi na achu danda!!

FreeGlobe:
eko mumu, how many oyel Wells do we have in eko Atlantic? am waiting

As if your deep sh'it villages called a state is anyway worth living in even with her oil.

This media propaganda is too much,
They should have patience, The month of MAY is just around the corner. The real owner would be reveal by NBC.

waiting to start my own militant for anambra. Me sef wan chop amnesty moni

I am a Kogite (Igala by tribe) but far from the talked about area. To avoid conflict, why don't the federal government take sole ownership of the said oil-well and totally blot out claims by any of both parties!

Oil in Nigeria means more money for the elites, and more suffering for the masses. It's mad money for bloodsuckers!!

Eko Atlantic:

As if your deep sh'it villages called a state is anyway worth living in even with her of oil, odechukwu.

But its has you talking so they must be worth something.

oga o..............aa ni salo

purpleclouds:

But its has you talking so they must be worth something.

English is the official language of this forum, stop breaking that rule.

Eko Atlantic:

English is the official language of this forum, stop breaking that rule.

Yawn. Try again dear.

Lamest comeback ever

I can't understand why this is a problem. Don't we have boundaries among states in Nigeria? Must the relevant agency wait till treasure is discovered in a state before they exercise their primary duties?

Abeg, make una knw kill una sef o, remeber dere re ppl wu re waitin 4 u @ hom

vanstanzy: Hmmm! Aguleri doesn't joke with war o.

Aguleri people are certainly not the only war-loving clan in Igboland. The mid 90s war with their neighbours Umuleri shouldn't be the only yardstick used in measuring their expertise in the art of war. How many Aguleri people joined or fought in the Biafran army? I've never heard about any notable member of Nigerian Army from Aguleri either.

The only war I've seen with my eyes is the Aguleri-Umuleri war, may such never happen again. Let the various communities allow the NBC conclude its work. My major annoyance with Kogi people is why they waited for Anambra to finish its financing and launching of this project before they woke up. The little law I know says that" delay defeats equity", why should a Baboon wait for the Monkey to finish a work and only surface when it's time to eat? It took more than 10years to finish this project, where were they?

You are just good in Propaganda......that was how Hitler also Ojukwu won the war. you only know about your greedy and criminal people. Do you know anything about the Igala people and war? find out about the Igala and Ibaji in particular and you will keep quiet Aguleri times 100 would not stand the smallest village in Ibaji find out before you run your mouth.....

chino11: It appears that these people knows little about Aguleri people's war chest. These people can level entire state.

No wonder the editor of guardian tagged it "Aguleri warns Kogi and Enugu states".

They should stay off our oil and focus on their farming.

Building refinery does not translate to owning oil wells in other states' territories. This arrogant little town shoul know that Nobody is afraid of them.

nxt news abeg, dis one is nt interesting

This reminds me of Umuleri and Aguleri wars when i was a kid before the war.

Aguleri Aguleri, let your past exploits not deceive you into predicting the occurrences of the future. Respect yourself and fellow Igbos and do not ignite a flame that may consume you.

Enugu people have kept their mouth shut and rather taken the part of observation, as any sane people should, while waiting for the results of the exploration and demarcation.

Your little threats do not deter anybody and if you are not too careful, you would soon bite more than you can chew.

The people you are threatening in Enugu are actually not timid so be careful else you would have the whole of Enugu State to go against if anything happens to any of our communities.

Enugu indigenes are united in more ways than one and any conflict with them, oh Agulu People, may be one already lost.

Be warned.
A word is enough for the wise.