From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
Two persons have been killed in the intractable land dispute between the people of Ogwor, Ishiagu and Umuobor, Akaeze in Ivo local government area of Ebonyi
Four persons were said to be missing in the renewed hostilities between the two neighbors which occurred at the weekend.
The two neighbouring communities had been at war over a piece of land with lives lost and properties worth billions of naira destroyed.
Daily Sun had last four months reported the crisis between the communities in an in-depth analysis.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu confirmed the latest killings in the communities.
He noted that tactical teams of the state police command have been deployed to the areas to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
“Yes two persons were killed. Police has deployed tactical teams to the area and restored normalcy”, he said
Chairman of the local government, Emmanuel Ajah, condemned the killings.
He vowed that the killers would not go unpunished.
He said: “‘This is a resultant effect of a land dispute between the two communities which has lasted for decades, and my administration has done her best to handle this issue since we came on board.
“A committee I formed has mediated on this issue and came up with a resolution that the said land shall be parcelled this November 2024; a solution adopted by the stakeholders of the two communities, but to my suprise, this evil act came up”.
Ajah explained that he had visited the area alongside security agents during which he condoled with the victims’ families to foster a peaceful atmosphere in the communities involved.