*Police deny taking sides

By Emma Amaize

WARRI—GUNMEN shot dead two persons and injured 11 others in renewed inter-communal clash between residents of Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities in Udu and Warri South-West Local Government areas of Delta State, weekend, while residents have fled the communities.

Okowa

However, the Police Area Commander, Warri, Mu’azu Mohammed, has been interfacing with the leaders of the two communities to ensure that the crisis does not degenerate further.

Mu’azu said: “The police are doing everything possible to stop the crisis. I heard some people are accusing us of taking sides, which is not possible. I have been talking to the leaders to restrain their youths.”

In addition, Chairman, Delta Waterways and Land Security Committee, Chief Boro Opudu, who condemned the attack, shooting and burning of houses, has moved in with some of his officials to maintain peace.

Chief Opudu urged the communities to respect the peace accord signed with the state government.

We’re brothers— Ijaw group
Meanwhile, the Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI, has called on the alleged sponsors of the crisis between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities to desist, while urging the two communities to embrace dialogue for peace to return peace to the area.

National President of the group, Austin Ozobo, in a statement, said: “Uhrobo and Ijaw are brothers; the current fallout between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities is needless despite the provocation.

“I appeal to my Uhrobo brothers and communities to stop fuelling the crisis and build a platform for dialogue. Ijaw and the Uhrobo are inter-married and there is no need to fight ourselves.”

Spokesperson of Ogbe-Ijoh Defense Force, Mr. Yola Victor, who spoke to reporters in Ogbe-Ijoh town, said: “Aladja youths attacked Ogbe-Ijoh. Our counter-attack was prompted by their earlier attacks, which the security is aware off.”

Secretary, Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Governing Council, Aaron Oweizi-Ebiye, also said the incident was as a result of an earlier attack by youths from Aladja community, who had on several occasions, stormed Ogbe-Ijoh community amidst series of gunshots.

Aladja accuse security agents
However, Chairman, Aladja Governing Council, Dogene Elias, countered the Ogbe-Ijoh youths claim, saying since last Wednesday, they took to arms in their bid to attack Aladja.

He accused police of providing cover for Ogbe-Ijoh’s entry, which left a house burnt and several persons displaced Friday.

He said: “We have been complaining to security authorities that it has become a habit for Ogbe-Ijoh to fire gunshots every two or three hours.

“On Wednesday, they attempted to attack and our boys repelled them. Thursday, it was tough. They were advancing towards our sides and we must have to defend ourselves.

“Towards this evening, security agents stationed there were aiding them. As Ogbe-Ijoh advanced, they will be shooting tear-gas towards Aladja. They injured one of our boys with the canister yesterday. One of his eyes is gone; he is here for verification.”

Elias said that top security officers mounted pressure on Aladja people to open the road, which they barricaded to prevent attack.

He said: “The road was opened and up till 5p.m., we were calling them to send in a replacement team, they did not send any. The soldiers in Ogbe-Ijoh had also left; the result of that is what has happened now.

“They came in Army uniform and burnt a house in Iwhre Quarters. We do not know the casualty figure for now. Many people have moved out. The area is a bit calm now.”

‘Aladja’re lawless’
However, the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Ogbe Ijoh/Warri clan Chairman, Okosu Smart, in a statement, said: “The crisis between Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja communities is because of the violation of the peace accord between the two communities by the Aladja Community. Aladja people are lawless; they have no respect for government and constituted authorities.”

His words: “We are still using this medium to inform Delta State Government and the public at large that 11 non-indigenes, but are members of IYC, who reside at Aladja, are badly injured and their properties destroyed.”