Awka and Lokoja — The boundary dispute between Kogi and Anambra States continued Monday with the killing one person, Friday Ugbede, and injuring of several others.
Daily Trust gathered that the crisis ensued when Anambra youths allegedly stormed one of the farm settlements in Echewno in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State and attacked people working on their farms.
A resident of the area, Benjamin Adiku, who spoke with our correspondent yesterday said Anambra youths in the early hours of Monday attacked the people of Echenwo community.
"Our people went to the farm as usual without any inclination that Anambra youths would come and attack them. They were surprised when Anambra youths stormed the area and started shooting sporadically. Our people had to run for their lives," he said.
He said in the process, one person was killed while several others were injured. He called on the government to put adequate security measures in place to save the community from attacks.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Kogi State, Romanus Nwanere, said information about the incident was still sketchy, but added that calm has returned to the area. He said the command deplored police personal to the area to assess the situation, adding that he will get back to our correspondent as soon as he has the details.
But a witness at Aguleri in Anambra State said more casualties may have been recorded in the incident. He said those injured from that area are being taken care of by local doctors.
In his reaction, Special Adviser to Governor Peter Obi on Security, Col George Molokwu said, "I am aware of fresh skirmishes. I was told that two persons were hospitalized for gunshot wounds. I am surprised at the development because Kogi and Anambra States governors have spoken on the need for calm and peace on this issue of boundary."
On his part, chairman of Anambra-East Local Government Area, Comrade Chiedu Obidigwe said, "My brother, things are beginning to take a dangerous shape. Yes it is true that eight persons were shot. There may be more than that, but to be on safe side that is the position. There are casualties from Echonwa and Ideke but I did not get to their community to know the casualty rate and nobody called me from there." Since President Goodluck Jonathan declared Anambra State an oil producing state, the area has been engulfed in hostilities, leading to loss of lives and property.
Source: Allafrica
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