Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Igga Community in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State on Saturday allegedly came under heavy attacks as some persons wearing Police and Army uniforms invaded the farming community burning houses and destroying whatever was on sight.
It was learnt that the entire community was engulfed on fire while the people of the communities ran to the bushes leading to many of them sustaining injuries while one aged man, Mr Richard Okoye, hit himself on a tree and died.
As at the time of this report the whereabouts of the Traditional ruler of the community Igwe Ukuta alongside his Personal Assistant remains unknown.
The invaders were said to have first sacked the farmers from their farmlands in the night of Friday before moving to their ancestral home.
A source who craved anonymity said that it took the intervention of the state government on Saturday night to bring the situation under control.
Our Correspondent gathered that the situation might not be unconnected with the struggle for farmlands by various communities including Igga, Ojor and Adani in Enugu State and Omasi in Anambra State.
The source said that these communities bordering Kogi State have over time been engaged in battle for farmlands over the years.
“The problem always occurred during farming seasons and it has been made worse by the infiltration of some land grabbers, who buy lands for farming from the local farmers.
“Overtime this has caused communal conflicts among these farming communities,” he said.
He claimed that these land grabbers sometimes use security agencies to intimidate and harass the land owners.
“I want the government to properly investigate what is happening in Igga, Ojor and Adani communities very well to forestall further skirmishes, ” he said.
The Police are yet to officially comment on the incident.
