Tension in Sapele: Otonyasere, Abigborodo youths clash, 4 badly injured

The timely intervention of a team of security personnel led by CSP Harrison Nwabuisi, the Sapele Divisional Police Officer, today saved what would have become a bloody clash between youths of Otonyasere Community and their neighbouring Abigborodo.

Advocate.ng gathered that there have been growing tension between the two over the owner of a forest reserve and the land where Seplat Energy Plc office is situated in Otonyasere, Sapele local government area.

It was further gathered that about 4 persons sustained life-threatening injuries and a Toyota Corolla car and a building belonging to Otonyasere Community was also destroyed when youths clashed.

The disputed land, Advocate.ng also gathered is currently a subject of litigation before the court and is also being resided and farmed by residents from both communities.

The clash which resulted in heavy gridlock also had residents of Otonyasere Community fleeing their homes as youths from both communities openly brandished dangerous weapons while baying for action.

The prompt intervention of CSP Harrison Nwabuisi, the Sapele DPO, supported by men of the Nigerian Army, Koko, however, saved the situation from escalating.

A source who spoke to us in confidence said that Otonyasere, Abigborodo Sapele – Okpe Community laid claim to the ownership, adding that since 1999 when the renew dispute started, developers who land in the area for industrial and other commercial purposes were forced to pay to both Sapele-Okpe community and Otonyasere.

He stated further that today’s crisis was triggered when some, “Abigborodo youths this morning came to the land and started digging, that they want to build a house on the land, that was when youths from Otonyasere mobilized themselves and stormed the place and that was when the clash began”

According to him, “the DPO with his team, however, intervened and dispersed the youths with tear gas before the crisis could escalate further, most of the youths were seen brandishing dangerous weapons and were ready for war.