Several killed, houses destroyed as residents flee Delta communal clash

…vigilante head escapes, deputy felled

Several residents of Aladja community in Udu local government area of Delta state have fled their community following a midday attack from youths of Ogbe-Ijoh over a disputed boundary.

Both communities have been embroiled in age-old hostilities stemming from unresolved boundary dispute.

According to an eye witness; Mr. Onome Ufoma who is an indigene of Aladja community and a survivor of the attack, the underlying battle had been managed through dialogue by the both sides until early hours of Saturday July 22nd, 2023 when the youths from Ogbe-Ijoh invaded a wedding reception in Aladja Community, shooting indiscriminately at guests.

Mr. Onome who said many people were left dead including a vigilante deputy head simply identified as “Stone Cold”, a female wedding guest and an unidentified pregnant woman.

Head of vigilante in the community Mr. Aniemeke Sunday Kenneth was however lucky to have narrowly escaped.

Mr. Onome said the assailants seemed to be  after the lives of  local security men of the Aladja community as he overheard them shouting “don’t let the vigilante head escape, get him, get him !!” repeatedly during the daring daylight attack.

Head of the local security Mr. Aniemeke Sunday Kenneth who was able to speak to our correspondent on phone confirmed the incident stating that several threats have been made on his person by the daring youths of Ogbe-Ijoh community who saw him and his team as an obstacle for them to perpetuate their criminal act of land grabbing.

Mr. Aniemeke who narrated how he escaped the attack said the incident occured at about 11am in a wedding reception of one Mr. Charles Odafe. He said the assailants arrived and started shooting sporadically. He however recounted that he was able to escape because he returned fire at the assailants who took temporary cover, creating space for him to escape from the area.

Mr. Aniemeke who spoke to us on phone from an undisclosed location said it was painful he lost his deputy who he referred to as a fearless and diligent team member.

He also revealed to us how both of his parents were also killed by assailants from Ogbe-Ijoh community in 2007, prompting him to join the local security outfit where he rose to the position of the Head of the community local vigilante group on 5th of January 2023.

“Both my community and Ogbeh Ijoh have been involved in a battle over land boundaries going as far back as decades ago. I joined the vigilante group in 2007after the death of my parents by the youths of Ogbe-ijoh community and I was appointed the youth vigilante chairman on Jan 5th 2023.

Delta State government, traditional rulers and religious heads have tried but failed to broker peace between the communities.

The Ogbe-Ijoh attacks is suspected to be sponsored by high and powerful individuals in the neighborhooring communities.

Meanwhile, when contacted, spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe, said he’s yet to be briefed on the matter, promising to get back as soon as he gets full details of the matter.