Tension in Isoko: 9 persons killed as Oleh, Ozoro clash over a land dispute

By Ovasa Ogaga,

 

Palpable tension has gripped the Isoko Nation following the reported death of nine indigenes of Oleh community, headquarters of Isoko South local government area of Delta state over a land dispute between the community and a neighbouring Ozoro community, headquarters of Isoko North local government area of the state.

 

Advocate gathered that a family lost 5 members, including the husband, wife and children in the crisis between the two Isoko communities following a lingering boundary dispute.

 

It was also gathered that all previous efforts to resolve the dispute by the leadership of the Isoko Development Union, (IDU), traditional rulers, security agents and the state government have not yielded any result.

It was alleged that the 9 indigenes of the Oleh community who had gone farm on Friday morning were ambushed by some indigenes suspected to have come from Ozoro community and allegedly murdered with guns and severe cuts.

 

It was gathered that among the murdered persons were women, men and youths.

As at the time our correspondent visited the community 9 lifeless bodies of the deceased were on display at the center of the town, while relations and indigenes and non-indigenes were seen crying and wailing.

 

As at the time of filing in this report, tension has enveloped the two communities as youths in Oleh community were seen regrouping for a reprisal attack.

 

Contacted, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, confirmed the bloody crisis but stated that she is yet to get the accurate figures of those killed, adding that the command was already drafting security men to forestall any further breakdown of law and other.