2 dead, 11 injured in Aladja, Ogbe-Ijoh clash

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.

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.”