Ogbotobo Youths Deny Land Encroachment Allegations from Letugbene Community Amid Ongoing Boundary Dispute

The ongoing land dispute between Letugbene and Ogbotobo communities in Bayelsa State has escalated with a new counter-statement issued by the Concerned Youths of Ogbotobo Federated Community.

In a formal reaction to allegations of trespassing raised by the Letugbene community, Ogbotobo youths have strongly denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the disputed land belongs rightfully to their people.

In a statement signed by Comrades Pereyeibo Oweilayefa, Akeme Moses, Raphael Benson, Ebimo Enoch, Solomon Akuna, and Chief Isaiah Tangbowei, the Ogbotobo community leaders categorically rejected claims that they had encroached on Letugbene land in collaboration with Renaissance African Energy Company Limited, formerly SPDC.

According to the Ogbotobo youth representatives, the area in question, including the Etebere Creek, is located several kilometers away from what they assert is the actual boundary line between the two communities, which they identify as Esabutubu. They insist that Letugbene’s claims are unfounded and misleading.

Describing the disputed land as “well known” and historically belonging to Ogbotobo, the group accused Letugbene of waging a baseless campaign in an attempt to gain control over land that is not rightfully theirs. They labeled Letugbene’s actions as those of “land grabbers” engaging in a “wrong fight.”

The Ogbotobo representatives also highlighted what they described as a pattern of boundary conflicts initiated by Letugbene with neighboring communities. They named Egbemo-Angalabiri, Bilabiri, Azagbene, and Agbidiama as other communities that have reportedly had similar disputes with Letugbene. They argued that these recurring disputes illustrate a broader issue with Letugbene’s approach to land ownership and intercommunal relations.

The statement emphasized that Ogbotobo has historically been a peaceful community, claiming that it has never experienced military invasions. In contrast, they alleged that Letugbene has experienced multiple security interventions, which they attributed to what they called Letugbene’s “wayward and spartaic lifestyle.”

Rejecting any responsibility for the oil production challenges reportedly faced by Letugbene, the Ogbotobo community noted that they are not to blame for their neighbor’s failure to exploit crude oil resources. They characterized their own community as being culturally advanced and blessed with natural wealth, likening themselves to “Athens-oriented” and “Goshen-related” people.

In closing, the Ogbotobo youths advised their Letugbene counterparts to study Peace and Conflict Resolution in order to better understand principles of coexistence and conflict management. They expressed confidence that the truth will prevail and stated that Letugbene would eventually come to recognize Ogbotobo’s rightful ownership of the land.

This response follows a July press release from the Letugbene community, in which they accused Ogbotobo of facilitating an illegal land incursion by Renaissance African Energy Company. According to Letugbene, the company, with Ogbotobo’s support, cleared large portions of their land without prior consent.

Let it be known to Letugbene people that Nobody is the monopoly of violence.

Ogbotobo Community has never experienced military invasions because of our peaceful life style but the Letugbene community has experienced military invasions severally because of their wayward and spartaic life style.

Ogbotobo Federated Community is not responsible for their inability to produce crude oil in their land. Ogbotobo people are Athens oriented in nature and Goshen related in natural honey and milk.

We advise Letugbene people to go and study Peace and Confliction Resolution Studies to have a better understanding of war and peaceful coexistence.