By Francis Sadhere
The Divisional Police headquarters in Ogbe Ijoh, headquarters of Warri South West Local Government was today sacked and armoury looted during a renewed communal clash between Ogbe Ijoh and and Aladja communities in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.
Soldiers from 3rd Battalion had to be drafted into the crisis torn area before sanity could be returned to the war torn area.
Our Correspondent learnt that the crisis which was brewing since came to the head day over boundary dispute between the two communities leading to shootings and alleged burning down of houses.
Security sources disclosed that the police station located in Ogbe Ijoh was over ran and their amoury looted during the crisis.It was gathered that the clash was as a result of alleged attack on Aladja women who were returning from their farms by some Ogbe Ijaw youths last Wednesday.
But the Aladja youths day blocked the only access road leading to Ogbe Ijaw community which allegedly provoked the clash between the two communities.
A reinforcement of mobile Police men were drafted from Warri to join the soldiers already deployed to the troubled area.As at the time of filling this report, refugees have been created on both sides of the Ijaw and Urhobo communities.
Chairman of Udu Local Government Area, Chief Solomon Kpoma told newsmen last night that refugees from Aladja community were being accomodated at Udu townhall while that of Ogbe Ijaw were in Warri.
The Chairman of Warri South West Local Government Area , Hon. George Ekpemupolo, told our Correspondent on telephone that tension was “very high” even though the Warri Area Command of the Nigerian Police had waded into the matter.
Mr Aaron (surname withheld) blamed the crisis on the alleged abduction of an Aladja woman from the farm on Wednesday evening.“The woman who went to the farm was seized and taken to Ogbe-Ijoh by the youths who detained her behind a counter.”
So Aladja youths in reprisal blocked the only road leading to Ogbe-Ijoh. They said the road would remain closed until the woman is released.Meanwhile, residents of Ogbe-Ijoh, including NYSC corps members, are fleeing Ogbe-Ijoh in the wake of today’s attack.
The Chairman of the Waterways Security Committee, Chief Boro Opudu, who confirmed the report said security operatives were battling to restore normalcy to the area.
He said soldiers from Nigerian Army and mobile police force have been deployed to the community to restore law and order.The Warri Area Commander of Police, ACP Muazu Mohammed confirmed the bloody clash, but was in a meeting with the two Council Chairmen as well as their communities leaders.
