Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Two persons have been killed in the protracted land dispute between the people of Umuobor, Akaeze, and their Ogwor neighbours in Ishiagu, both in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The two neighbouring communities have been at war for over five decades over a vast, fertile land known as Elueke, with many lives lost and properties worth billions of naira destroyed.
The situation forced Governor Francis Nwifuru to declare the disputed land a buffer zone and also set up a committee to find lasting solutions to the crisis.
However, killings, maiming, and destruction still persist.
On Monday, an elderly man and woman from Umuobor were killed in the disputed land by suspected warlords.
Sources in the area told our Reporter that the victims alongside some others had entered the land to harvest their crops because of hunger.
“This is the main farmland our people depend on to feed themselves so it has been difficult to stay away.”
The source said some women were also abducted but were later freed following intervention of soldiers stationed in the area to keep the peace.
Police spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, said he had not received a report of the incident.