Obinna Uchendu Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the killing of 2 persons in Ogwor Community in Ishiagu Ivo Local Government Area of the State following a lingering boundary dispute between the people of Ogwor and Umobor Village in Akaeze Community in the local government.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO DSP Joshua Ukandu said that the victims were murdered yesterday by the attackers while they were in the farm Saturday evening.
DSP Ukandu maintained that the men of the command has been mobilized to the area to ensure that normalcy returns and ensure the security of lives and properties of residents of the area.
Reacting to the ugly incident, the Ivo Council Chairman, Mr. Ajah Emmanuel, condemn the gruesome murder of the two individuals from Ogwor Community adding that the killing was a resultant effect of a land dispute between the two communities which has lasted for decades.
He expressed the regret that despite his administration’s determination to handle the issue, the issue has continued to linger.
“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 surprise, this evil act came up.
“As of this morning, I have notified all relevant authorities, both in government and military, and I visited the scene of the incident alongside the DPO of Ivo Division to express our condolences to the victims’ families and to foster a peaceful atmosphere in the involved communities.
“During my visit, I urged the Ogwor community not to seek revenge for the killings but to trust in my ability to address these security challenges. I also communicated the same message to the Umobor community to help prevent any potential clashes and casualties, as trouble can escalate quickly.
The Council Boss assured that all will be done to apprehend the unscrupulous individuals responsible for this heinous act; “no killer shall go unpunished!”
He called on the communities to maintain calm as the report of the standing committee shall be implemented. “I believe the committee report will solve the longstanding boundary dispute in the shortest possible time.
Sources close to the community revealed that more than 5 other person from Ogwor Community are still missing.
