Imo communities boundary dispute, leaders appeal for calm
By Uchenna Eletuo
Okpala, Imo leaders of the two warring communities of Imo, Ogbor Uvuru in Aboh Mbaise LGA and Umuanum Ohekelem in Ngor Okpala LGA on Saturday appealed to the two neighbouring communities to give peace a chance.
The leaders, that spoke against the backdrop of ongoing hostilities between the communities said that, a round-table resolution of the dispute would save both sides of human casualties and destruction of properties that such senseless war could bear on the people.
The leaders in a separate interview with the News men in Imo urged women born and married in both communities to stage a peace protest in the communities to compel their brothers, husbands, in-laws and friends to shield the sword.
It further reports that a peace pact was reached by communities during the administration of late Sam Mbakwe, former governor of the state that led to mutual interrelationships between the people, that resulted in intra-communities marriages.
It reports that the June 16 renewed age-long land dispute had rendered many homeless as houses properties were destroyed.
Residents has deserted the communities as a result dear of being killed by rampaging warriors from both sides.
Speaking on the land dispute, the traditional ruler of Ohekelem, Eze Emmanuel Okere, described war between the neighboring towns as a fight between brothers that has been living in harmony for years, said that incidents of such grave consequences should not be allowed.
“Human casualty in any side in the course of this dispute is uncalled for and will affect the affection that exists among the people that attends same schools and markets apart from other social relations,” he said.
He appealed to youth of the areas to give peace a chance by allowing leaders of the communities to resolve the matter in good faith.
Mr Basil Nwaokecha, Uvuru Community Youth President, Lagos Chapter, said that the war was not in the best interest of the communities, urged women that inter-married in both communities to stage a peace protest against the community war.
He said that such protest would go a long way to disarm the warring parties to create room for a roundtable resolution.
He regretted the surge in freely use of fire arms and other non authorised weapons in the society called on the state operatives to mop up the communities of small and light arms.
Recall that the President General (PG) of Ohekelem Progressive Union (OPU) Mr Raymond Anyawu, on June 27 appealed to Umuanum youth to desist from fighting in order to enable a quick resolution. He also urged leaders of Ogbor people to call their warring youth to order.
The OPU president that alerted the police over the incident that had left many in critical conditions from gun shots wounds, confirmed that the police and other operatives were parading the area to ward off security breach.(NAN)