A renewed land dispute between Edjekota community in Ogor Kingdom, Ughelli North Local Government Area, and Otor-Ewu community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State has escalated into violence, resulting in the death of three persons and injuries to several others.
According to Vanguard, videos obtained show scenes of chaos as Edjekota youths retrieved the body of a young man identified as Andy. In the footage, women were seen wailing while men issued threats of retaliation. Another video captured angry youths barricading the Edjekota/Ewu Road in protest over the incident.
Although full details were still emerging at press time, sources confirmed that the two neighbouring communities have been locked in a long-standing battle over the ownership of a tract of farmland. The matter is currently being heard at the Delta State High Court sitting in Otu-Jeremi, with the next court date scheduled for April 10.
According to community sources, violence broke out after security operatives allegedly accompanied individuals from Otor-Ewu to arrest some Edjekota villagers working on the disputed land.
A source explained: “This issue of land ownership between the communities is a matter already at the state High Court in Jeremi and we are supposed to be in court April 10.
“As usual, our people had been going to farm on the land until Monday, when the other community people went with the police to arrest our people in their farm land and those that escaped came to notify our community people.
“Some of our people who were arrested are Izaga, Michael Itedjere and Pa Othu and his wife who were later released because of their age.”
The publication reported that two of the victims were from Edjekota, while one casualty was recorded from Otor-Ewu. The deceased from Otor-Ewu was reportedly attacked while passing through Edjekota on his way home.
