In another communal crisis that erupted in Ebonyi, no fewer than nine persons were confirmed dead and several others missing in the clash between Ekpa-Omaka and Inyimagu both in Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi State.

Sunday Sun gathered that the cause of the crisis was the ownership of a rich natural fish pond known as Akataka, which is usually left for fishes to mature and harvested at this period. It was when both communities gathered for harvesting that one of the communities claimed sole ownership denying the other access to the pond and the crisis ensued

Before the crisis , the communities of Ekpa-Omaka and Inyimagu, had been known for peaceful co-existence, sharing the Akataka land area believed to be rich in agriculture and fishing.
The clash has left several others wounded and others taking refuge in neighboring villages.

The National President of Ndiagu-Echara Development Association, Hon. Sunday Nwonu who confirmed that people were killed in the crisis disclosed that a number of villagers are now taking refugee at Echara community.
He said that it was against this background that elders from Ndiagu-Echara and other stakeholders from Ikwo local government started mediating between the two warring communities to avoid further loss of lives and for peace to return

“All of us are children of Ikwo Noyo and anything that affects one affects the other. Echara cannot encourage the killing of her own brother,” he said. The chairman of Ikwo local government area, Chief Celestine Nwigberi who also confirmed the incident was unable to disclose the number of those killed but only admitted that more than nine persons were either missing or killed since the spate of violence in the area.

Nwigberi however stated that officers and men of the Nigerian Police from Ebonyi State Police Command have been drafted to the area to ensure protection of lives and property, adding that all hands were on deck to ensure that the affected communities live in peace irrespective of their differences.