By Emma Amaize

ALADJA—THE  people of Aladja in Udu Local Government Area, Delta State, have dismissed the insinuation by leaders of Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state, that they attacked the community on Sunday.

Former president of Aladja community, Mr. Dennis Etabuko, reacting to media reports on the supposed invasion, claimed Ijaw militants of Ogbe-Ijoh and Isaba were the ones that attacked Aladja around 8.55 pm when the people were retiring for the night.

“It was a surprising scenario as the cool night air was rented by sounds of gun shots from all entry points into Aladja, from the bushes separating Aladja from both Ogbe-Ijoh and Isaba communities. It was a well coordinated attack that was carried out simultaneously by both communities,” he said.

According to him, Ogbe-Ijoh and Isaba had earlier threatened that they would cause unrest if their leaders detained at Ogwashi-Uku Prisons were not released.

The attack, he said, was, however, repelled by mobile policemen stationed at Aladja to keep the peace, adding that the shooting, which lasted for hours, confirmed the alleged rumoured plan of the Ijaw to attack Aladja and kill serving military or police personnel to make it look like it was done by Aladja youths, thereby inciting the government forces against Aladja.