Oruku, Umuode crisis: One killed, another shot

By TONY EDIKE, Enugu

THE lingering boundary dispute between Oruku and Umuode communities in Nkanu East local government area of Enugu State assumed a dangerous dimension on Thursday as a native of Oruku was reportedly shot dead while another who was shot on the chest allegedly by men in military uniform is lying critically injured at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku Ozalla.

Reports said the incident followed days of heavy shootings between the two warring factions in the protracted land dispute which had claimed several lives and property in past years.

The country home of the immediate past Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji was among the properties belonging to Umuode natives that were destroyed in one of the clashes some years ago but the house has since been rebuilt.

Sources said tension heightened in the area last week following a disagreement between some natives of the two communities which led to the pulling down of about five houses in Umuode and one in Oruku. Although the cause of the disagreement could not be immediately ascertained, both parties were said to have thereafter engaged in sporadic shootings within their boundary apparently to signal their readiness for another round of hostility.