No few than three persons have been reportedly killed and about four others abducted but later freed in a fresh boundary dispute between two Communities in Ebonyi State.
ait.live gathered that the two affected communities, Oso-Edda Community in Afikpo South Local Government Area, and Nde Ndukwe Amasiri Community, in Afikpo North Local Government area, have been into an age-long land dispute which has been managed from turning violent till this week.
The crisis started Monday and lasted till Wednesday when security agencies stepped in to restore normalcy, but before the intervention, much carnage had been done.
Details of the incident have remained sketchy, but sources in the area alleged that people suspected to be Amasiri community militia invaded Okporojo, Nde Obasi, Ogiri and Idima, all farm settlement villages in Ọsọ-Edda community and destroyed houses, razed farm produce and every property in sight, leading to a reprisal attack by the Oso-Edda people.
The Police is silent on the causality figure, but unconfirmed reports say some people were killed, including a youth who was be-headed.
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Heavily armed security operatives have been deployed to the troubled areas, with several sympathisers visiting the affected villages, including a community leader and philanthropist, Julius Ama Oji, who promised to support the displaced victims rendered homeless in the cause of the crisis.
The four abducted Edda youths are said to have been freed unhurt, according to a statement by the Council Chairman of Afikpo South Local Government Area, Chima Ekumankama, late Wednesday, appealing for calm among the people.
The Chairman of Afikpo North Local Government Area, Uche Ibiam who also confirmed the incident, says a peace meeting organized by the Chairmen of both Councils in conjunction with some Monarchs and the Heads of Security Agencies in the area, have restored normalcy to the affected communities.
Editor: Ena Agbanoma