At least five persons from Ogui Nike Community in Enugu North Local Government of Enugu State have narrowly escaped death following alleged attack over land by indigenes of Ugwuaji, a neighbouring community in Enugu South LG of the state.
Narrating the incidence to newsmen, Samuel Ani Ifesinachi who witnessed the attack and narrowly escaped the scene of the incidence, said that the youths of Ogui Nike, numbering 20, went to the disputed land, located at Premier Layout Extension, Owor, early on Saturday to investigate reported trespass on the land when they were attacked.
“We had gone to the land that morning, with no arms, having heard several reports of how our lands were being destroyed when we were attacked by hired hoodlums numbering more than 50, who were armed with guns, machetes and axe” he said.
He alleged that while the attack went on, military personnel and men of the Civil Defence Corps watched and appeared to be supporting the attackers, adding that the attackers made away with two of their Toyota Corolla vehicles.
Read Also: Community, Herdsmen Clash Over Destruction Of Crops In Anambra
Speaking on the situation, the President General of Ogui Nike Town Union, Paul Anike said the land had been under dispute since 2005, which prompted the state Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to order that the two communities should steer clear of the land pending resolution of the matter which was already in court.
He however noted that said that the community was surprised when it began to receive reports that indigenes of Ugwuaji had started selling and allocating the land to different people, including the state government.
He recalled that the community went back to the governor to report the development after which the governor referred the matter to the Commissioner for Lands and other exco members for resolution.
He regretted that “while the Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nnam was still hedging, our community continued to receive reports that the alleged trespassers had mobilized five bulldozers to clear other structures already erected on the land by Ogui Nike people” he said.
Anike said it was in a bid to ascertain the authenticity of the reported trespass that the community sent the youths who were attacked and left in critical conditions.
He called on the state government and security agencies to intervene on the matter to avoid bloodshed and complete breakdown of law and order.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe who confirmed the incidence said the police was on top of the situation.
“We have not made any arrests so far because the matter is still being investigated. We are making sure that everything is under control” he said.
On his part, the spokesperson of the 82 Division Nigerian Army, Col. Aliyu Yusuf who confirmed that the military had deployed soldiers to prevent crisis noted that they were sternly charged not to take sides.
On his part, the Enugu State Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Dr.Victor Nnam, said that he was not aware of any land dispute involving the two communities.
At the time of filing this report, the victims of the attacks namely; Ebuka Ede, Emmanuel Ede, Onyeka Agbo and Nkemjika Mbah who suffered varying degrees of injuries were hospitalized at Hope Care Medical Centre, Asata Enugu.
The fifth victim, Arinze Ede who is in a worse condition as one of his legs was nearly cut off with a machete, was hospitalized at the National Orthopedic Hospital Enugu.
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.