At least one person was feared dead as a result of a clash involving two communities – Uneme-Erhurhun in Akoko-Edo local government area and Okpella Ogute in Etsako East local government both in Edo state.
The clash it was learnt may not be unconnected with the presence of precious stones deposits in parts of the area which a popular company has started exploring.
The crisis broke out when some youths from Erhurhu allegedly barricaded the road to the forest to prevent some Okpella residents from conveying some logs of wood from the forest.
The crisis led to destruction of several houses, vehicles and motorcycles in Erhurhu community.
Reacting to the development, the clan head of Uneme, Mr Monday Braimoh said the land belongs to Erhurhu community.
“The land is an inheritance of Erhurhu community not for Okpella people,” he said.
Braimoh said the people of Okpella have been laying claim to the land and they have been coming to fetch wood from there.
Also, Abdulyekini Ahmed, Personal Assistant to the palace of Okupelagbe of Okpella, said a white paper on the disputed land shows that the land belongs to Okpella community. “The Erhurhu community is tenant in the land,” he said.
It was gathered that the injured are receiving treatment in the hospital while security agents are now stationed in Erhurhu community to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
There are claims that the portion of the land where the Unemes settled many years ago is owned by the Okpella Ogute people and that there was an agreement for royalties to be paid.
It was gathered that Dangote group wants to build a cement factory there which would extend into parts of the farmland of the Unemes and they are demanding compensation which was said to have led to the clash.
A statement Tuesday by the member representing Akoko-Edo Constituency II in the state house of assembly, Emmanuel Agbaje condemned the clash.
In the statement made available to journalists in Benin City, Agbaje lamented the destruction of lives and property and called on the “warring communities to sheath their swords and embrace peace in the spirit of Afemai.”
He called on the State government to swing into action in order to resolve the boundary dispute. “What we want is development and poverty eradication and not war. We do not need war to resolve boundary issues.”
He pledged to do all within his powers to bring about peaceful resolution of the crisis as well as ensure peaceful co-existence. He commended the State government and security agencies for rising up to the occasion.
The state police public relations officer, Abiodun Osifo who confirmed the incident to newsmen Tuesday however said no life was lost but that about five persons were injured and that the incident is being investigated.
