By Cletus Opukeme, Warri
The Aladja and Ogbr-Ijoh communities which have been in gun battle several years ago today have gone to cease-fire agreement with the Delta state government represented by leaders of both communities.
The Delta State Commissioner of Police Delta State, CP Ari Muhammed Ali had a conflict resolution meeting with the leaders of Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities brokered the ceasefire deal to allow the state government to put the boundary demarcation issue into rest permanently.
The Delta state Police Pubic Relations Officer DSP Edafe Bright disclosed that the meeting was held at the Government house annex in Warri and was anchored by the Special Adviser to the Governor on peace building and conflict resolution, Hon (Chief) Edwin C. O Uzor. Also in attendance was local government chairman Warri South West LGA, Hon Taiye Duke Tuoyo and the vice Council Chairman UDU LGA Barr. Eloho Awinoron. During the meeting, both communities expressed their displeasure over the ongoing land demacation crisis that has led to the death of one Frank Amakiri aged 36yrs old and one other. Though none of the communities took responsibility for the incident, they both admitted that peace is critical for both communities to progress and they don’t want to leave the crisis for their children to inherit.
According to the police spokesman, ”The special adviser to the Governor on peace building and conflict resolution noted that the State Government will compensate those who have lost some part of their properties as a result of the ongoing boundary demacation before commencement of the next phase of the demacation. The Commissioner of Police noted that any further escalation of the crisis between both communities will not be treated with levity and whoever is found wanting will be duly prosecuted. The CP assured them that in the end of the ongoing investigation, those behind the incident will have their day in court. Both communities came to a truce and signed a peace Accord.