Communal clash: Delta monarch’s brother killed, five others missing

OLEH—

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/communal-clash-delta-monarchs-brother-killed-five-others-missing/

OLEH—YOUNGER brother of the Ovie of Igbide Kingdom, Prince Palmer Obukeni, is feared dead, while five indigenes of Okpolo-Enwhe community, both in Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State are reportedly missing, in a fresh communal clash over a protracted land dispute. A source from Okpolo-Enwhe community alleged that some of their women who went to harvest cassava at Okpaoworo and Aghahave bushes were allegedly ambushed and attacked by warriors from Igbide community. “After a rescue team was mobilised to the bushes, five persons could not be accounted for,” the source who craved anonymity said, adding that “the carts meant to carry the harvested cassava home were found abandoned without a trace of their owners.” Denying knowledge of the killing of Prince Palmer Obukeni, the source said: “They (Igbide people) are the aggressors. They have been laying claim to the land since 1967 and have been violently attacking our people who go to farm in that bush.” Meanwhile, a source from Igbide community, who also preferred anonymity, said no indigene of Okpolo-Enhwe community was missing, saying, “That is a blatant lie.They (Okpolo-Enwhe people) attacked our people and nobody is missing there. “Some of our women including the wife of Prince Palmer Obukeni who went to their farms were ambushed by Okpolo-Enwhe people. The prince was among those who went on a rescue mission in the bush and on getting there, he was kidnapped and shot dead. “They are the aggressors. Some weeks back, they also shot dead a woman with six and a half months old pregnancy. None of their persons is missing.” Contacted, Police Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, Celestina Kalu, said: “After a visit to the two communities, no sign of violence to suggest any clash was evident. However, there are counter allegations of killings. Efforts to confirm the scene of the crime proved futile. “King of Igbide and the President-General of the community alleged that one Parma Obukeni was killed. No scene to prove their allegation was seen, no corpse was recovered and no person injured. The peace committee set up to look into the conflict is still on the matter.” The hostilities which broke out on May 6, 2016 after over four decades of legal battle, has so far, resulted in the death of several persons while over seven houses in the communities were razed.

By Ochuko Akuopha OLEH

By Ochuko Akuopha OLEH—YOUNGER brother of the Ovie of Igbide Kingdom, Prince Palmer Obukeni, is feared dead, while five indigenes of Okpolo-Enwhe community, both in Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State are reportedly missing, in a fresh communal clash over a protracted land dispute. A source from Okpolo-Enwhe community alleged that some of their women who went to harvest cassava at Okpaoworo and Aghahave bushes were allegedly ambushed and attacked by warriors from Igbide community. “After a rescue team was mobilised to the bushes, five persons could not be accounted for,” the source who craved anonymity said, adding that “the carts meant to carry the harvested cassava home were found abandoned without a trace of their owners.” Denying knowledge of the killing of Prince Palmer Obukeni, the source said: “They (Igbide people) are the aggressors. They have been laying claim to the land since 1967 and have been violently attacking our people who go to farm in that bush.” Meanwhile, a source from Igbide community, who also preferred anonymity, said no indigene of Okpolo-Enhwe community was missing, saying, “That is a blatant lie.They (Okpolo-Enwhe people) attacked our people and nobody is missing there. “Some of our women including the wife of Prince Palmer Obukeni who went to their farms were ambushed by Okpolo-Enwhe people. The prince was among those who went on a rescue mission in the bush and on getting there, he was kidnapped and shot dead. “They are the aggressors. Some weeks back, they also shot dead a woman with six and a half months old pregnancy. None of their persons is missing.” Contacted, Police Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, Celestina Kalu, said: “After a visit to the two communities, no sign of violence to suggest any clash was evident. However, there are counter allegations of killings. Efforts to confirm the scene of the crime proved futile. “King of Igbide and the President-General of the community alleged that one Parma Obukeni was killed. No scene to prove their allegation was seen, no corpse was recovered and no person injured. The peace committee set up to look into the conflict is still on the matter.” The hostilities which broke out on May 6, 2016 after over four decades of legal battle, has so far, resulted in the death of several persons while over seven houses in the communities were razed.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/communal-clash-delta-monarchs-brother-killed-five-others-missing/

By Ochuko Akuopha OLEH—YOUNGER brother of the Ovie of Igbide Kingdom, Prince Palmer Obukeni, is feared dead, while five indigenes of Okpolo-Enwhe community, both in Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State are reportedly missing, in a fresh communal clash over a protracted land dispute. A source from Okpolo-Enwhe community alleged that some of their women who went to harvest cassava at Okpaoworo and Aghahave bushes were allegedly ambushed and attacked by warriors from Igbide community. “After a rescue team was mobilised to the bushes, five persons could not be accounted for,” the source who craved anonymity said, adding that “the carts meant to carry the harvested cassava home were found abandoned without a trace of their owners.” Denying knowledge of the killing of Prince Palmer Obukeni, the source said: “They (Igbide people) are the aggressors. They have been laying claim to the land since 1967 and have been violently attacking our people who go to farm in that bush.” Meanwhile, a source from Igbide community, who also preferred anonymity, said no indigene of Okpolo-Enhwe community was missing, saying, “That is a blatant lie.They (Okpolo-Enwhe people) attacked our people and nobody is missing there. “Some of our women including the wife of Prince Palmer Obukeni who went to their farms were ambushed by Okpolo-Enwhe people. The prince was among those who went on a rescue mission in the bush and on getting there, he was kidnapped and shot dead. “They are the aggressors. Some weeks back, they also shot dead a woman with six and a half months old pregnancy. None of their persons is missing.” Contacted, Police Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, Celestina Kalu, said: “After a visit to the two communities, no sign of violence to suggest any clash was evident. However, there are counter allegations of killings. Efforts to confirm the scene of the crime proved futile. “King of Igbide and the President-General of the community alleged that one Parma Obukeni was killed. No scene to prove their allegation was seen, no corpse was recovered and no person injured. The peace committee set up to look into the conflict is still on the matter.” The hostilities which broke out on May 6, 2016 after over four decades of legal battle, has so far, resulted in the death of several persons while over seven houses in the communities were razed.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/communal-clash-delta-monarchs-brother-killed-five-others-missing/