By Victor Akinkuolie, Igbokebo
Indigenes of Arogbo Ibe in Ese-Odo Local Government area of Ondo State have insisted that a full investigation must be conducted to fish out the killers of their kinsmen during a recent bloody boundary clash.
The mayhem occured between the people of Adoloseimo, a riverine community in Ese-Odo Local Government area of Ondo State, and Kokotoru town in Warri North Local Government area of Delta State.
Some lives were reportedly lost when some irate youths from Kokotoru allegedly invaded Adoloseimo for the second time and unleashed terror on residents over a protracted dispute concerning the ownership of a large parcel of land located between the border towns in the riverine area.
Several indigenes of the area who spoke at Agadagba town, Ese-Odo Local Government, described the attack as saddening and unwarranted. They said the traditional ruler of Arogbo Ibe, Oba (Barr.) Zacchaeus Egbunu, had made several efforts to initiate a peace-building process with the neighbouring community to achieve a lasting resolution of the dispute.
The indigenes, under the aegis of the Arogbo Ibe Development Forum, condemned the gruesome killing of their kinsmen during the attack, describing the act as callous and morally reprehensible.
While calling on security agencies to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice, they also urged for increased security presence in the area to ward off further attacks.
Recall that the Agadagba of Arogbo Ibe, Oba (Barr.) Zacchaeus Egbunu, had earlier convened a peace meeting attended by the Chairman of Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Chief Caleb Ebimobowei, and his counterpart from Warri North Local Government area of Delta State, Hon. Festus Ani Ashima, alongside other stakeholders from both communities.
Others present at the meeting included members of the Arogbo Council of Chiefs, representatives of the affected communities, the Chairman of Arogbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr Samuel Jemi; the Councillor representing Arogbo Ward III in Ese-Odo Local Government, Mr Sunday Kowei; security operatives from both Delta and Ondo States; and the Secretary to Warri North Local Government, Chief Felix Ebimene, among others.
Speaking at the meeting, Oba Egbunu underscored the importance of finding a lasting solution to the conflict. The monarch emphasised that peace between the two communities could not be overemphasised, stressing the need to maintain harmony and allow the matter to be resolved amicably.
He also called for a spirit of give-and-take to enable the peaceful demarcation of the boundary between the two communities in the interest of unity and brotherhood.
Expressing gratitude to the governors of both Ondo and Delta States for their peace-building efforts, Oba Egbunu lamented the violence meted out to his subjects and urged the governments to work with security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
The Arogbo monarch later described the meeting as a significant step towards resolving the communal clash, noting that the joint efforts of both governments and security agencies would help restore peace in the area. He urged the affected communities to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities to achieve lasting peace.
In their separate remarks during the peace parley, the Chairman of Ese-Odo Local Government, Chief Caleb Ebimobowei, and his Warri North counterpart, Mr Festus Ani Ashima, described the initiative as a step in the right direction.
The two chairmen agreed on an amicable resolution of the crisis and promised to counsel residents of their respective local governments on the need to embrace peace and allow the boundary adjustment committee to intervene in the matter.