A serious crisis is brewing between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities in Udu and Warri South-West Local Government Areas of Delta State as they accuse each other of alleged planned attacks.
Ogbe-Ijoh community had accused the Udu Council Chairman, Jite Brown of allegedly planning to attack them in their community.
The Ogbe-Ijoh community raised the allegation in an open letter addressed to Delta State Governor, Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa and signed by the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Victor Akemetubo.
The Ogbe-Ijoh community accused the Aladja people of digging out the only access road leading to their land Ogbe-Ijoh to deny the military and other passersby access to Ogbe-Ijoh when there is any attack from Aladja.
Ogbe-Ijoh also urged the Delta State Governor-elect, Sheriff Oborevwori to take steps to settle the land dispute between the two communities as soon as he assumes office.
They also tasked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to note and correct the alleged “deviance” of Jite Brown, Chairman of Udu local government council and his adopted political son, with a view to stopping his planned last attack as he promised.
The Ogbe-Ijoh community said, “The Urhobo nation should be aware and hold Jite Brown responsible for the breakdown of law and order of these two communities and that the Ogbe-Ijoh community do not have any fight with the entire Urhobo nation. it is Jite Brown who is using the council money meant to develop Udu local government to buy arms and ammunition for the Aladja people to attack Ogbe-Ijoh over time.
“For the past one week, the Aladja people have been coming to Ogbe-Ijoh end to shoot indiscriminately at Ogbe-Ijoh at their will, which the DSS, the Nigeria army, the police and other security agencies are aware of.”
However, the Aladja community has debunked the allegations, saying in a statement that the reverse was the case.
Former President of Aladja Community Council, Denis Kabedje Etabuko in the statement said, “it’s a lie from the pit of hell and that it is the Ogbe-Ijoh people who would be planning to attack Aladja Community now.
“This has always been their pattern. They accuse Aladja of either of one attack or the other or of planning to attack when they are fully ready to attack. This they do to build a defence in case they are accused of an unwarranted attack on Aladja.
Etabuko said it is laughable of the Ogbe-Ijoh community to say that Aladja has blocked the access road leading to their land with a view to depriving the military entry when there is a crisis.
“This is laughable because it is very clear that the road has been in use before, during and after the cessation of hostilities.”
Etabuko noted that Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa approved the road for reconstruction pointing out that it is ongoing presently.
“So how come a road under construction is now being said to be blocked by the Aladja People when the security patrol teams of the Operation Delta Hawks stationed at Ogbe-Ijoh pass through other side roads in the community to Ogbe-Ijoh on a daily basis.
“Ogbe-Ijoh people are known for being blatant liars and this lie has just exposed them as people who are experts of lies.
“It is on record that the Ogbe-Ijoh people have a penchant for avoiding the resolution of the matter. The Security Agencies can attest to this fact. Even the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace and Conflict Resolution, Hon. Chief Henry Uzoh can attest to this fact. Aladja has always complied with any directives from the State Government and the Security Agencies who mediate in the issue but Ogbe-Ijoh has always proved to be the stumbling block to peace”.
Efforts to speak with the Udu Council Chairman, Jite Brown was unsuccessful as his Chief Press Secretary, Henry Ubus in a WhatsApp message told our correspondent that his boss needed to approve his refutal over the allegations raised against him by the IYC in Ogbe-Ijoh Community.
For over nine hours now, our correspondent has been waiting for his response.
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