By Ochuko Akuopha

OLEH—BARELY one month after they agreed to end their seven months old crisis, tension again heightened at  Igbide and Okpolo-Enwhe, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, yesterday as two persons were allegedly killed and two others severely injured, following the protracted land dispute between the communities.

Vanguard gathered that one of the deceased, Mr. Felix Abrere, a hunter, was allegedly beheaded at about 6a.m. at a bridge between the warring communities, while the other, identified as Mr. Ezeze Udumedjeno, was shot dead in the early hours of yesterday.

It will be recalled that hostilities broke out in the communities on May 6, 2016 after over 40 years of legal battle, resulting in the death of several people  and the setting ablaze of over seven houses in the areas.

Speaking with Vanguard on the development, President General of Igbide community, Chief David Edeguare, claimed that three indigenes of the community were missing.

He said: “Yesterday, (Monday) Okpolo-Enwhe people invaded our community and there was commotion. In the process, three persons are now missing. Soldiers who were on ground helped to quell the crisis. Then today (yesterday), one of our indigenes, Mr. Felix Abrere, was beheaded and they took his head into the bush.”

On his part, President General of Okpolo-Enwhe community, Mr. Sunday Egboye, alleged that “it was the people of Igbide that invaded our community and started chasing our people from their houses and one person,  Mr. Ezeze Udumedjeno, was shot dead while two other indigenes of our community were injured. As we speak now, those that were injured have been taken to the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, for treatment. They are the people always coming to us for trouble; we have never one day mobilized to meet them. They are the people always attacking us.”

Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed the incident.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in the areas as men of the 222 Battalion of the Nigerian Army were positioned in strategic locations in the communities.

Before the latest violence, the leadership of the communities had at a meeting convened by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Festus Agas on  November 10 2016, signed an undertaking to end the crisis and maintain law and order in their communities.

Agas, at the meeting, reiterated the resolve of the state government to collaborate with the Isoko South Local Government council to implement the  recommendations of  the peace and reconciliation committee set up by the council chairman, Sir Ithiako Ikpokpo to proffer permanent solutions the lingering crisis.