Aladja/Ogbe-Ijoh crisis: One abducted, another injured, as gunshots rock communities

A Sunday afternoon report says warring Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities of Udu and Warri South-West local government areas of Delta State are currently embroiled in sporadic gunshots at the disputed borderland.

“Aladja is under serious attack by Ogbe-Ijoh. It started again about an hour ago.

“The gunshots are ongoing at the disputed boundary land between the two warring communities.

“One Aladja person has been abducted. He’s a male. A boy has also sustained a gunshot wound and has been rushed to a hospital.

“Security men have been alerted, but yet to arrive. Gunshots still ongoing,” a former Aladja youth executive member, Comrade wisdom Onatomre, told our correspondent Sunday afternoon.

But a youth executive member in Ogbe-Ijoh, who craved anonymity because of being unable to get details yet, however, said that the shootings started at about 2:00 a.m on Sunday.

He said the sporadic gunshots were emanating from both Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities with bullet holes visible on walls and gates of some houses in Ogbe-Ijoh.

“The shootings started at 2:00 am on Sunday at the disputed boundary land.

“The alleged shooting of an Aladja boy and abduction of an Aladja person isn’t likely true as I’m yet to have details as I’m not in town as I speak,” he noted.

President-General of Aladja community, Elder Otto Ogbiruveta, confirmed the shootings but not the abduction or injuring of two Aladja persons.

He said: “It is true, there was a gun battle. Ogbe-Ijoh people came to attack Aladja this afternoon. We had to call the Major. They have mobilized to the place.

“They saw the Ogbe-Ijoh boys armed at the Aladja/Ogbe-Ijoh Road. They tried to get them to leave. When they came, they met the mobile policemen guarding the checkpoint along the road.

“The situation is tense right now. I cannot confirm anybody being shot or abducted at the moment,” he retorted.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe, who was contacted through a text message, confirmed the incident but added that while normalcy has been restored, he wasn’t aware of the number of casualties.

Recall that when it was thought peace has returned and subsisting in the twain communities of Urhobo and Ijaw stocks, who are deeply intermarried, fresh trouble began again about a month ago when an RCCG pastor of Ogbe-Ijoh stock, who was going to a prayer vigil in Aladja was allegedly hacked to death by suspected Aladja assailants.

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