…As Edjekota and Ewu Clashes Over land Ownership
There is serious crisis today erupted between Edjekota community in Ughelli North Local Government Area and Ewu-Urhobo community in Ughelli South Local Government Area over land disputes with two lives already loss.
A reliable source who reside into Edjekota community but do not want his name in print , disclosed that there has been a lingering land dispute between a particular family in Edjekota community and Ewu-Urhobo community over a particular land behind the St. Pius Catholic Hospital, along Ewu community road.
The source stated that as the dispute persist, some members of the Edjekota family today, went to the land for reasons he couldn’t explain, but said they were allegedly confronted by some persons from Ewu community whom were escorted by police officers and ordered their arrest. This the source narrated led to a heated argument that later snowballed into a fisticuff where some persons from Edjekota community allegedly sustained grave machete cuts and injuries.
Continuing the source noted, that upon receiving the news at Edjekota community and those at the community barricaded the only access road to enter Ewu community but crosses the Edjolekota community was barricaded to deprive anyone from coming into or go out. According the source, a team of other police officers that came to restore peace and operating in a Sienna minibus were deprived from passing through Edjekota by some of youths whom were already prepared for a showdown with Ewu community. The source stated that the policemen tried all means to drive through the community but where sternly resisted, hence they allegedly opened fire, and in the process, a stray bullet killing one Martins surname not known and died instantly.
This the source noted aggravated the already tensed situation and in retaliation, a vigilante official from Ewu only identified as Victor Akpofure, who was on his way to Ewu, ran into the crisis and was gruesomely murdered.
As at the time of filing this report, many residents had already fled the community as military personnel have taken over both communities.
A terse message sent to the PPRO Delta State Police Command SP. Bright Edafe, to confirm the killing has not been replied, but it is still sketchy if the two local governments chairmen have waded in to restore peace and normalcy.