THE casualty in last week war between Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja communities in Warri South-West Local Government Area and Udu Local Government Area, both in Delta State, was avoidable. Yet three persons died in cold blood and several others injured, increasing the countless dead in the absurd boundary dispute between the warring Ijaw and Urhobo communities.

•One of the injured Ogbe-Ijoh villagers
Fresh tension

More than a week after the November 16 incident, Ogbe-Ijoh, which claimed to be under attack by Aladja, raised the alarm that their Urhobo opponents were still planning a fresh attack.

A source in the community said, “Aladja people have sent messages to Itsekiri civil servants working in the Warri South West secretariat at Ogbe-Ijoh to stop coming to work and leave their abode in the town as from next week because they are going to strike.”

•Another Ogbe-Ijoh victim

“Our leaders have decided to write letters to the Army, Police and Navy to notify them of the plan,” he added.

Ijaws are the aggressors – Aladja
However, youth president of Aladja community, Wisdom Onatomre, who spoke on last week’s crisis said that Ijaw people were the aggressors. He disclosed that invading Ijaw gunmen killed Kelly Onoduaire, 21, and injured four others, last Thursday.

His words, “Lately, Isaba and Ogbe-Ijoh, are fond of the unholy alliance of launching a two- prong attack against Aladja simultaneously. Yesterday, they were at it again. We started hearing gunfire from Isaba axis at dawn. By 6.30am, they started pushing in from their respective outskirts of our community. As I speak with you, they have killed Kelly Onodauire, 21. Bowmen Kingsley, Cassius Owolo, Anthony Onoriode, Wilson Patani and Victory Austin were seriously wounded and are in intensive care in one hospital

How Aladja attacked us – Ogbe-Ijoh

Ogbe-Ijoh leader, Chief Monday Keme, who bemoaned the losses in his community, revealed that Ebi Alelei was beheaded while his hands and private parts were cut off by his assailants.
According to him, Joseph Karegha, who was declared missing, miraculously came out alive, but with bullet wounds on his body.
Others injured were Austin Felix, Tolumor Oruware, Abonti Arekumor, Matthew Michael, Ebena Ibikoro and Goalkeeper Fine.

“At about 7.45 am on Thursday, November 16, Aladja attacked Isaba community and by 8.45 am, another attack was launched against Ogbe-Ijoh and lasted about two hours, leading to the death of two persons and while 12 persons were critically wounded and are now receiving treatment,” he said.

Isaba, a neighboring Ijaw community also declared two boys injured in the inter-communal warfare.

Trading blames on who initiated attack on the other, Chief Keme asserted, “Once again, we wish to inform the government of Delta State and security agencies of today’s attack on Ogbe-Ijoh by Aladja community.”

Aladja launched offensive on us – Isaba

However, Ogugu, an Isaba youth leader, said, “Aladja attacked Pere-Ama Isaba community at about 7.12am. They passed through Olori Waterside with a boat to Pamiaye in Isaba kingdom and walked through to attack the people of Pere-Ama. They were putting on army camouflage. The gunfire was so serious that two of our boys were injured and are presently receiving treatment. They are Austine Eyomi and Godspower Pukea,” he said.

Keme berates Delta govt

Chief Keme obviously unhappy with the role of the state government in the management of the crisis, said, “It was very unfortunate that the Delta state government is yet to implement its findings on how to resolve the boundary dispute between the two communities. We have always maintained the peace in the face of unprovoked attacks. Once again, we call on the federal government to intervene as the governor of Delta state lacks the political will to enforce his own pronouncements in an attempt to resolve the boundary dispute,” he said.

Police sue for peace

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Aniamake said, “I have been made aware, I am in touch with the Area Commander and our men on ground, but we cannot rush into details in a hurry. We will do everything humanly possible within our means to ensure that law and order prevail. We have the wherewithal, but suffice it to say that ultimately, the enduring solution is that the people by themselves see reasons to sheathe their swords and live in peace and harmony.”


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/11/ogbe-ijoh-aladja-boundary-dispute-2-killed-12-wounded/

Please, put graphic pictures warning. That first picture is quite scary. The guy is all bones.