SANCTO: Alto am an advocate of peace, am sorry for Ashonwo/ Ibaji people. Aguleri is not a Push over town. Ask those that have tried it before.Even if you like, deploy a full brigade, the reprisal will be highly regretful. Aguleri people are very loving and accommodating, but Mosaic law is their believe. Ask Umuleri people. They invaded Aguleri at night.Although peace has been brokered, go to Umuleri today and see for urself. Good luck to Ibaji people.....

There's so many quotes on here which I admire and yours is one of them. I am from Aguleri to say and you're absolutely right about the Mosaic law thing. I used to be Jewish and so is my father. I don't think my people would let this slide easily as they believe in the '' an eye for an eye '' law. I just hope this doesn't excalate into something large as the Kogi's are our brother's too. If you take a look at our history, we're closer to the Kogi people than even some igbo's from other states. I just hope for peace and serenity. One love.

Chuksyno: From wen is Agulueri Otu becomes Kogi state? MR EBENEZER

druid06:

There's so many quotes on here which I admire and yours is one of them. I am from Aguleri to say and you're absolutely right about the Mosaic law thing. I used to be Jewish and so is my father. I don't think my people would let this slide easily as they believe in the '' an eye for an eye '' law. I just hope this doesn't excalate into something large as the Kogi's are our brother's too. If you take a look at our history, we're closer to the Kogi people than even some igbo's from other states. I just hope for peace and serenity. One love.

I beg help me tell them...some stewpid bigot are here that don't know the whole of igboland ..claiming to retaliate...now someone from aguleri otu has said it all..case close...Bless you brother...

ozo-dimgba:

RIP to the dead. But north is north this igala people is another branch of boko haram. Very lazy set, when Anambra state was working day and 9t to build the refinery, they were enjoying now the benefit is come they resort to violence. Gov. Idris Wada and Kogi people shall have no peace. Igboman is always a victim even in his home town. This people that are been killed innocently on the daily basis in Nigeria, will bring nothing but nemesis upon this country.

Nemesis is there already, a ll this bad news about nigeria, you think na for joke

macnicks: May the souls of those killed rest in peace. It is worrisome on this development because while I served in that community as NYSC member, the two neigbours were very united. It was then that the rumour of antagonism concerning the oil began. It was learnt that kogi government was persuading the closest neighbours to aguleri ie Ashonwo/Odeke to commence war against the aguleri in a bid to avoid the commission of the oil wells by the president Goodluck Jonathan. But against the state demands the odeke/ashonwo refused such frivolous demands by citing how good neighbours they were to the agulerians and beside there is no boundary issue with its neighbours aguleri. I was surprise to see this war captions over the newspapers. During the flooding aguleri neighbours especially the Ashonwo and Odeke were all hosted in aguleri/ umuleri community and were seriously taken care of. I am really not happy with my people for invading the aguleri people without warning. The Idiah and Igala people cannot have regard on us the way aguleri has on us, to them we are uneducated minority. The truth is hard to but i won't shine away from saying it. We share many economic ties with the agulerians than the kojis. I have written to Ashonwo/ Odeke and copied to the state government to call for settlement without delay and apologize to aguleri people without hesitation. If kogi state has any grievance they should Channel it to the right quarters and stop using local people as a stooge against their peace and survival. My hands are clean.

AT LAST, A SENSIBLE CONTRIBUTION, GOD BLESS YOU BROTHER.

emmysenior: Always say things that you can defend. Were you there when the Kogi state government asked the Ibajis to kill Agulerians? I doubt if you are a graduate. Stop acting or believing in them says...

UNA NO DEY TAYA?.

Okija_juju: Warning All Igalas, Okene and all other tribes and ethinicities in Kogi State should prepare to become extinct.

To those in foreign lands, better go and register yourselves as an endangered specie.

Anywhere we catch you,

Revolva take note!!

EMPTY threat.

Okija_juju: Warning All Igalas, Okene and all other tribes and ethinicities in Kogi State should prepare to become extinct.

To those in foreign lands, better go and register yourselves as an endangered specie.

Anywhere we catch you,

Revolva take note!!

Go play for gutter fool...what do you mean ...bigot..after na you go praise americans who don't give a damm about you.now you showing hatred against me..tell me na me kill the villagers and is any villager related to you by blood..eeddioot!!! Tribalist

Acidosis:

You started the insult by calling me a deluded person, as if that was not enough, you insulted;

My Parents
My Governor
My state (comprising my family, friends & all the dwellers in Kogi saying: "we'll have no peace".

And now you're looking for self pity & justification?
Oboy you're mad.

It's very clear now, however i have got no apology for u. Lets watch and see only time will tell.

o'boy:
I kukuma trust Aguleri,they first of all warn before they strike
when they start Ohaneze should not put mouth o,abeg

make Kogi People go Ask Umuleri wetin Aguleri Do dem oooo

EXCERPTS OF THE PRESS BRIEFING BY HRH EZE C.N. IDIGO IV, (OGALAGIDI, EZE AGULERI), WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 19, 2012,@ ISABANKA (THE ROYAL PALACE), AMAEZE, AGULERI.

The historical Commissioning of the Orient Petroleum Resources Plc / Anambra River Oil Wells at Aguleri-Otu, Aguleri, on August 30, 2012 by the President and the proclamation of Anambra State as an Oil-Producing State in Nigeria, has unexpectedly awakened the ‘Oil Producing appetite’ of Anambra neighboring States of Kogi and Enugu. Both states are now separately jostling and laying claims to the ownership of these Oil Wells which are indisputably located in Aguleri land. As if the spurious claims by the governments of Kogi and Enugu States were not enough, a few days ago, some youths of Kogi State embarked on a protest march, just as some youths of Enugu State had earlier threatened to stop the Orient Petroleum project, all in their effort to buttress their claims.

Ordinarily, Aguleri Community would have allowed the State Governments to sort out themselves believing, that the extant boundaries between the three States, namely: Anambra and Kogi States on one part; and Anambra and Enugu States on the other hand, are properly delineated. As a people known for always standing on the path of truth, honour and justice, Aguleri would always fight back whenever our liberty is threatened or our land is encroached upon. More importantly, we acknowledge the need to straighten the records and allay further misinformation on the matter, for the Nigerian public, and the world at large. We therefore present the historical as well as legal facts on this matter with the view to settling this contest on the rightful ownership of the Anambra River Oil Wells (OPL 915). Having said as much, the fact remains that the Orient Petroleum Resources Plc’s Anambra River Oil Wells – Anambra River 1, 2 and 3 in OPL 915 are located in Aguleri land precisely, Aguleri-Otu, the north-eastermost riverine settlement of Aguleri.

It is a historical fact that Aguleri occupies the longest stretch of settlement along Anambra River – starting from Otuocha Aguleri to Inalo River at the border of Kogi State. Aguleri People live on both sides of Anambra River from Otuocha Aguleri up to Igbakwu Town in Ayamelum LGA on the east bank of Anambra River. Igbakwu Town itself is opposite Enugu-Otu Aguleri on the west bank of Anambra River. From Igbakwu Town northwards is Ifite-Ogwari, followed by Umueje, all in Ayamelum LGA and thereafter Igga and Ojor towns , then to Ogurugu, all in Enugu State. Clearly from Igbakwu, Anambra River has been the natural boundary between Aguleri and all the other towns on the east bank of Anambra River up to Ogurugu in Enugu State. It is also a historical fact that none of the communities on the east bank of Anambra River from Igbakwu to Ogurugu has farm lands on the west bank of Anambra River, and this is as expected, as Aguleri occupies the entire west bank of Anambra River up to Inalo River at the border of Kogi State. Aguleri people have been living in the locations of the Oil Wells known as Agu-Igbili, Agu-Ovo/Okpalia, Ngene-Ejo, Okpa-Nkwocha and Nnobi Aguleri right from time immemorial and have engaged in farming and fishing in these locations from historical times to date.

Historically, Odeke, the Headquarters of Ibaji Clan in Igala land of Kogi State trace their origin to Aguleri and because of this ancestral connection, they lived very close to Aguleri and shared common boundaries with Aguleri. At cultural fiestas, where successful men usually have the opportunity to display their bravado or prowess for instance, it was commonplace to hear popular slogans and shouts of Odeke Agulu..ue! Odeke Agulu kwenu!! Settlements such as Uchuchu Anocha, Uchuchu Anapiti, Echonwa, Obale, etc are all farm settlements of Odeke people. Before the advent of Colonial Administration, we lived together as a people of common stock. However, with the regionalisation of Nigeria by the Colonial Government, Odeke, together with its farm settlements were placed in Northern Nigeria as part of Idah Division.

GOVERNMENT ADIMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS
Given the topography of the entire West Bank of Anambra River basin, which presently consists of Anambra West LGA and Aguleri-Otu in Anambra East LGA, the lands were acquired by the Government to establish the Anambra Forest Reserve in 1931. Consequent upon this Government action, an Agreement dated 28th April 1931, made in that behalf, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 (ii) of Cap. 95 of the Forestry Ordinance 1931. The communities that entered into the Agreement with the Government were eight ( – namely: Nzam, Inoma, Nnani, Obodolu, Mmiata, Umuoba, Enugu-Otu and Oroma-Otu (now Eziagulu-Otu) Aguleri – all in the present day Anambra State. Another Agreement was made in that behalf on 12th Day of February 1932, also by the same eight ( communities aforesaid. The Forestry Ordinance was published in Nigeria Gazette N0. 20 Vol. 20; notice N0.316, dated 30th March 1933. An ADO of the then Onitsha Division was appointed the Reserve Settlement Officer, to supervise the Forest Reserve, on behalf of the Government of Eastern Nigeria.
It is also important to note that the Oil Wells under discussion i.e. Anambra River 1,2&3 inside OPL 915 is located within the Anambra Forest Reserve, which is in Aguleri.

BOUNDARIES
The boundary of Anambra Forest Reserve is very clear and unambiguous. Whereas Enugu State communities of Igga, Ojor and Ogurugu are on the Eastern Bank of Anambra River, the Anambra Forest Reserve is on the Western Bank of the river (Anambra River) up to opposite Ogurugu community. So, Anambra River has always been and is still the natural boundary between Enugu State communities and Anambra Forest Reserve.
Earlier in 1927, the boundary between Aguleri and Kogi State was settled through an Arbitration jointly chaired by Captain Joel and Mr Macabe, both Assistant Divisional Officers representing the then Onitsha Division and the then Idah Division respectively. HRH Eze R. A. Idigo II represented Aguleri, while Chief Ocholo of Olu Ibaji represented the Ibaji Clan. At the end of the sittings, the Arbitrators adopted the boundary lines as represented in the Map of Nigeria in 1927 as the boundary between Aguleri and Ibaji land in the present Kogi State. It is instructive to note that far back in 1927, the official Map of Nigeria recognized the Anambra Forest Reserve as part of Eastern Nigeria. And so, as the Chairman of the Orient Petroleum Resources Plc, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, said, the “misconception that the Oil Well was not entirely in Anambra State has been resolved through the Map of Nigeria”
The boundaries are also contained in Anambra Forestry Reserve (Amendment) Order, 1950, and Legal Notice N0. 126 of 1954; the Northern Region, Western Region and Eastern Region (Definition of Boundaries), 1954 Appendix ’B’ and ‘E’.
It is also pertinent to mention here that the Tripartite Point of intersection at the mouth of Inalo River which is the boundary between Kogi and Anambra State is quite far away and clearly long after the Anambra Oil Wells location.

ACTS OF OWNERSHIP AND POSSESSION
All the settlements and people in possession before the establishment of Anambra Forest Reserve were named after the Aguleri people who were in possession, which explains why till date what you have are such enclaves as Oguejiofor’s Enclave, Chizua’s Enclave, Menkiti’s Enclave, etc; reflecting the founders of these settlements. Also, the fishing ponds scattered all over the entire land are owned by Aguleri people and they fish in them till date.
Other acts of ownership include the establishment of Migrant School at Okpeze which is well beyond the location of the Oil Wells by the Anambra State Government, to serve the primary education needs of the people. For long, a number of church groups have been established in the area. They include St. Philip’s Anglican Church of Anambra/Niger West Diocese, the Catholic Church of Onitsha Archdiocese Outstation Parish, just as a number of Pentecostal Churches are also located in the area. For the pagan community, their ‘Aro’ deity is prominently located there. Above all, the Forest Quarters built for the Forest Reserve Staff by the Eastern Nigeria Government, now maintained by the Anambra State Government is at the heart of the Settlement.
For all Federal Elections in Nigeria, INEC Polling Booth located at Ngene Ejo which is part of the Anambra Forerst Reserve, administered by Anambra Office of the Commission, supervised the conduct of such elections for Aguleri people living in the area.
It is also pertinent to mention briefly that Royalties accruing from the products of the Anambra Forest Reserve have continued to be paid as agreed by the people of Aguleri and the then Governor of Nigeria, Sir Thompson, in 1932. Till date, Aguleri Community have been collecting the said Royalties from the Forestry Department.

COURT RULING
In 1967, the Igga Community of Enugu State brought an action against SAFRAP Nigeria Limited – an Oil Company & 2 others; and Chief A.E.Idigo & 3 Others (For and on behalf of the people of Aguleri), claiming, among other things, a declaration of title to the land and an injunction restraining the aforesaid company and the people of Aguleri from committing further acts of trespass and waste of economic trees and crops on the land in question. The Igga Community, being Plaintiffs in the suit filed a Motion of Discontinuance, after they had finished their evidence and Aguleri Community opened their defence. In the Court’s Ruling, their application was refused. The case dragged on from 1967 to 1973 and all subsequent appeals made by the same community were similarly refused. This means, as per the Court Order, that the Igga Community cannot bring any action on this matter again in any Court of competent jurisdiction – per res judicata. The implication of that Ruling is that the Igga community has been estopped and cannot go to Court over the radical title or ownership to Anambra Forest Reserve. See the case of Chief Fabian Ukuta v. SAFRAP (Nigeria) Limited & 2 Ors and Chief A.E.Idigo & 3 Ors – Suit No. E/50/67.
It is also instructive to note that some Odeke indigenes of Kogi State testified as witnesses in this suit in favour of Igga Community, supporting the claim that the disputed land belonged to Igga Community. Is not a contradiction that today, same Kogi people are claiming ownership of the said land? Also, Kogi people never came against SAFRAP Nigeria Ltd or Elf when the two companies were prospecting for Oil in the area.

CONCLUSION
The Igga Community of Enugu State knows that they have no title to the Anambra Forest Reserve, and so have no claim to make on the land. They came in 1967 and demanded compensation from SAFRAP (Nigeria) Limited, which ended in Court, and they lost out. Similarly, in 1984, when Elf Nigeria Limited came for the Oil wells, they quickly demanded compensation, but could not succeed. Now that Orient Petroleum Resources has taken a bold step to commence operations, Igga Community has come again, but, as in the past, they are bound to fail, as they neither have any title to the aforementioned Anambra Oil Wells nor any further claim to make, having been estopped by a Court of competent jurisdiction. In fact, their case was at best considered not only as misconceived or mala fide.
For the people of Kogi State, the combined effect of the Arbitration of 1927, the Legal Notice N0. 126 of 1954 - the Northern Region, Western Region and Eastern Region (Definition of Boundaries), 1954; the Forestry Reserve (Amendment) Order, 1950, which clearly defined the Anambra Forest Reserve as part of Eastern Nigeria (now Anambra State) and the various unchallenged acts of ownership by the Governments of Eastern Nigeria/Anambra State; and the fact that the people of Aguleri have remained in possession of the said land from time immemorial unchallenged, have effectively estopped the people of Kogi State from any claim to the land. From all indication, Kogi people, like the Igga people of Enugu State, will also fail in their claim of Anambra Oil Wells at Aguleri-Otu.
Finally, from the foregoing, it is true and clearly established beyond any reasonable doubt that the Anambra Forest Reserve has the usufractuary title over the land in question, and can use the land at its pleasure and can permit


whosoever it pleases to fish, farm, and hunt or even cut produce of the forest. This is in accordance with the principle of alienation of land; but the position of the true owners enures, remains untouchable, indispensable and superior to any other title.
In conclusion, the people of Aguleri are the true owners of the land in question – that is – the Orient Petroleum Resources Oil Wells, otherwise known as Anambra River Oil Wells.
Thanks and God bless you all.

Okija_juju: Warning All Igalas, Okene and all other tribes and ethinicities in Kogi State should prepare to become extinct.

To those in foreign lands, better go and register yourselves as an endangered specie.

Anywhere we catch you,

Revolva take note!!

Spew this load of bull to the boko boys..it used to be "yorubas are empty boasters but apparently there has been a paradigm shift.."

I want to remind Anambrarians that some political strategist up north have been working with destabilisation.
I gala and Igbos have a common ancestry.

From the story we are not sure of the identity of the attackers.
I will not doubt that these attackers are not any where from the neighbouring community in Kogi state. Do not fall into the trap of violence staged for your. This is purely Boko Harem Agenda.

Leave Boko Haram out of this.This is struggle for resources. I hear ibos speaking of Aguleri-Umuleri 'riot',that will not matter here. Resolve this issue amicably or you will detest the outcome of any major fracas with the igalas.The ibo man may prove me wrong,but I honestly doubt he can match my igala neighbour.

Omuha: Leave Boko Haram out of this.This is struggle for resources. I hear ibos speaking of Aguleri-Umuleri 'riot',that will not matter here. Resolve this issue amicably or you will detest the outcome of any major fracas with the igalas.The ibo man may prove me wrong,but I honestly doubt he can match my igala neighbour.

Are you done with the OPC and NURTW scuffles in your place to come here to open your mouth.

Igbos be-careful!
This act is political, it is likely not from Kogi people. Let us identify the real attackers first. At least wait for the Kogi communities to claim responsibility.

emmysenior: And who set this deluded quagmire on the loose? She is a disgrace to the police force and to the nation in general. You talk as if you have gotten some evidence, with your type that is sentimental, there's much cleansing to be done the Nigerian police. Ala.

Come and sack me now. Come I dey wait for you.

Revolva:
You are a bastard I am a complete oma igala gan gan!! Infact from ibaji..am open heartedly speaking and you dissing me!! Look don't generalize

Don't mind the idiot. We need peace, my brother, not war.

This oil no go kill us all oooo

Y fighting n killing one another wen at d end a PDP politician from d far end of d country will buy d oil well? Lord,,may dis generation b alive wen dis oil will dry up so we will see wot we have done to ourselves

This newspaper report is too one-sided. This is highly unprofessional. As far as I am concerned, the writer is only using his position and connections to represent his people (Igbo). Writer should please distinguish between true journalism and personal interest.

Creatrixity:
Spew this load of bull to the boko boys..it used to be "yorubas are empty boasters but apparently there has been a paradigm shift.."

No paradigm shift whatsoever. Okija-juju is Yoruba but masquerades as an Igbo troll on posts like this. Read his other comments and notice the contradiction.

The commenters talking about the story being one sided because Igbo people are not demonized enough in it shows you clearly that the Igbo cannot trust other so-called "impartial" Nigerians. You see posts by Igala posters expressing shame for the actions of the belligerents from Kogi and y'all are chatting crap. I would like to read all your comments when the same Igbo reporter is reporting Aguleri reprisals. Too many of you commenters can be hypocritical.

Revolva:
Look woman when anger comes its does more damage dan repairs..ok ebiras are more violent in kogi but it shocked me to see my own pple infact am ibaji origin and you see we ibajis are close to igbos a lot..due to broder and tradition and inter marriage occurs between us..so pls reduce ur insult..ok this scenario can happen to any community even between igbos sef ..and yorubas..communities even if they speak the same language...all we want is peace

All u want is peace n u cowardly go 2 ur so called brodas in d nyt n maim dem, destroying dia homes.. I hear u! Ibaji oloto

Yasmeena:

All u want is peace n u cowardly go 2 ur so called brodas in d nyt n maim dem, destroying dia homes.. I hear u! Ibaji oloto

I have not read all of Revolva's comments but he seems to be peace loving and ashamed of this violence. It is unfair to hold him responsible for the actions of people he does not know just because they might be of the same ethnic group. It is like the creatures justifying the Igbo genocide by pointing to the actions of the coupists. We Igbo are too advanced for that kind of thinking that is why I am not in support of your attack on Revolva.

Na wa