Indigenes of Aladja community in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to demarcate the disputed boundary with Ogbe-Ijoh to halt further bloodshed.
The two neighbouring communities of Urhobo and Ijaw ethnic stocks have been on each other’s throats for about 27 years over a disputed boundary with successive governments in the state playing the ostrich in permanently resolving the logjam.
Embarking on a massive but peaceful protest on Friday, the Aladja people accused the present and previous Delta State government of failing in resolving the imbroglio.
The protest was characterised by music and dance which took off from the Aladja Community Town Hall through Ekorhion Quartetrs and down to the Waterside amid chants of solidarity songs and waving of tugs of leaves.
Led by Comrade Shell Okakotu GodFirst, President of Aladja Community Council, Mr. Akpojotor Okololo, 1st Deputy Oghuvwie of Aladja Community and Mr. Lori German, Secretary of Traditional Council in Aladja, the protesters denounced further killings and sued for peace.
“President Bola Tinubu, come to our aid. Delta Government have failed us. We are calling on the Federal Government to come to our rescue.
“Ogbe-Ijoh, give peace a chance. War is destructive. Peace is priceless. Ogbe-Ijoh, allow peace to reign between us,” they chanted.
The protesters also appealed to the people of Ogbe-Ijoh community of Warri South West Local Government Area to allow for a peaceful demarcation of the disputed land.
Some inscriptions in the placards borne by the peaceful protesters included: “The land belongs to Aladja,” “Major Solomon be neutral in the crisis”, Ogbe-Ijoh doesn’t have an inch of land there”, “Governor Sheriff give Aladja her land back”, “Delta Government knows the truth, but playing politics with the crisis”,” Governor Sheriff do what is right, truthful and just”! and “Hon. Taye Tuoyo stop using the military against Aladja for Ogbe-Ijoh”, among others.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines, the President-General of Aladja Community, Prince Ibrahim Dumudje, said they staged the peaceful protest to let the world know the level of oppression being meted on Aladja community by the Delta State government and their Ogbe-Ijoh neighbours.
Prince Dumudje, who was represented by the 2nd Vice President-General of Aladja Leaders of Thoughts, Dr. Richard Lafua, noted that a meeting was held at the Army barracks in Effurun and an agreement was reached that the entire land in dispute be demarcated.
Prince Dumudje pointed out that no action has been taken since the meeting was held, but they (Aladja) people only saw further encroachments on the disputed land by some government agents.
He accused Chairman of Warri South-West Council, Hon. Taye Tuoyo of allegedly pitching the military against Aladja community, adding: “We find this very embarrassing that a government official is doing this.”
According to Prince Dumudje, Aladja community has agreed that the disputed land be demarcated, but they have been waiting patiently for the Delta State government to take action to no avail.
“We are also willing to let go a portion of the land for the purpose of peace. Even with this, government is not forthcoming,” he claimed, while alleging that the state government apoeared pleased with incessant bloodshed over the land.
He appealed to the Delta State Governor, RT Hon. Oborevwori to, as a matter of urgency, intervene in the matter and see that the disputed land is demarcated, peacefully.
On their parts, President of Aladja Community Council, Comrade Shell Okakotu GodFirst,
Aladja Community Youth leader, Reuben Fourie and a woman leader in the Community, Mrs. Ruth Christopher, wondered why the state government appeared weak in resolving the land dispute in spite of several whitepapers on it.
They said the age-long crisis between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities have affected them economically, mentally, financially and otherwise, just as they called on the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Worldwide, and all Urhobo indigenes both home and abroad to come to the rescue of Aladja community.
Reacting to the allegation that he’s pitching the military against Aladja community when contacted on phone, Warri South West LGA chairman, Mr Tuoyo declined to speak on the matter, saying: “I don’t have anything to say about the matter.”
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