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Delta residents claim the Ogbe-Ijoh community is planning an attack with mercenaries.

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Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

The leaders of the Aladja Community in Delta State’s Udu Local Government Area today raised the alarm about a planned attack by the Ogbe-Ijoh people, alleging that they (the Ogbe-Ijoh people) have imported mercenaries to assist them in prosecuting the long-running case against them.

Many of their Indigenes have fled the town, according to community leaders who spoke separately with reporters today.

They claimed that the Ogbe-Ijoh people had also driven the military and police off their land in order to carry out the planned attack.

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Mr. She’ll Okakotu GodFirst, President of Aladja Community Council, ACC, told our correspondent, “We received a series of calls from the riverine.” Many of them advise us to take our preparations seriously.”

He noted the arrival of hoodlums loyal to two militant leaders in Rivers and Delta states for the war.

“Those are the threats they issued to us,” he says. Most of those who are friendly with our sons and daughters told them that they should take their luggage and leave town because they were going to attack any minute.”

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GodFirst vowed that they would retaliate against any attack by any means God provided. He stated that they no longer have faith in the government, particularly the military stationed in the area.

“The government was with us the last time they attacked us.” The military is present. I was surprised that the military was unable to respond. We could go after them. They left because it could happen.

“When the boys arrived, the government noticed them. They couldn’t fight them because their guns were too powerful. “The government just relaxed and watched them attack us and flee,” he explained.

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GodFirst, who noted that a series of peace treaties had been signed between the two communities and the government, claimed that the Ogbe-Ijoh people had consistently violated them with no consequences meted out by the Delta State Government or the military.

Comrade Festus Umukoro, President of Aladja Youth, confirmed the position of the President of Aladja Community Council, ACC, noting that the Ogbe-Ijoh people recently attacked them and injured many of their Indigenes.

During the attack, he claimed, soldiers fled.

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“We are still waiting for them,” Umokoro said of rumors that the Ogbe-Ijoh people had perfected plans to attack them.

Comrade Bezi Ighotegwolor, Coordinator of the Aladja/Ogbe-Ijoh Peace Vanguard, expressed sadness over the events between the two communities.

He mentioned that his counterpart in Ogbe-Ijoh is also upset about the situation. “It is surprising that so many of the people who stood as peace ambassadors in Ogbe-Ijoh are now calling for war,” he said, referring to Victor Akemetubo, the current Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council in Ogbe-Ijoh.

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“Even so, peace is priceless.” We also advocate for peace. The people of Ogbe-Ijoh should embrace peace in order for this issue to be resolved amicably.

“When we talk to the Aladja people, they listen to us. That is why, even though the Aladja people were protesting, we came in and appealed to them, and they listened to us.

“We also expect our counterpart from Ogbe-Ijoh to talk to their people to accept the boundary demarcation presently.”

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While noting that the disputed land belongs to the Aladja people, Bezi said, “We are peacemakers, and we have let go so much of our land. But we will advice the Ogbe-Ijoh people to sheath their swords and embrace peace. War is not friendly. Peace is friendly. War lives in its wake, sorrow, tears and blood while peace brings joy,happiness, growth.”

A former President of the Aladja Community Council, Chief (Engr) Paulson Okobiebi, who spoke with our correspondent, said the Aladja Community had always been under the attacks of the Ogbe-Ijoh people.

Chief Okobiebi said the recent attack by the Ogbe-Ijoh people left many wounded in Aladja Community.

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He blamed the federal and Delta State governments for not being able to settle the agelong boundary dispute between them and their Ogbe-Ijoh neighbours.

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