*Those who attacked us were dressed in army uniforms – Aladja Residents
By Victor Lewis
Following renewed hostility between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities which led to the destruction of homes, clinics and one life in Aladja, the Senator representing Delta Central, Senator Ede Dafinone, has dispatched a fact-finding delegation to assess the level of carnage caused by alleged invaders from Ogbe-Ijoh.
Aladja Community in Udu Local Government Area of Delta Central and Ogbe-Ijoh, headquarters of Warri South West Local Government Area in Delta South, have, over the years locked horns in a bloody boundary dispute which had claimed several lives and property from both sides.
Successive state government regimes have made efforts to resolve the dispute but to no avail. The recent resurgence of the crisis, our correspondent gathered, involved the destruction and vandalization of several homes including private medical clinics as well as the loss of one life in Aladja Community.
Concerned about the development, the Senator representing Delta Central in the National Assembly, Senator Ede Dafinone, sent a delegation to the affected community for an on-the-spot assessment.
The delegation which was led by the Director-General of Senator Ede Dafinone Campaign Council, Chief Barr Adelabu Bodjor on Saturday, went round the Aladja community to see the level of destruction of life and property caused by the renewed hostility.
Report from the delegation indicates that one 40 years old Mr. Efe America was shot dead, while many others sustain various degree of injuries during the attack.
It also reported that many homes, including one Oghenefejiro clinic and maternity and cars were destroyed in the in the milieu.
Speaking to journalists during the visit, the leader of the fact-finding delegation, Chief Barr. Adelabu Bodjor, described the incident as a very pathetic one, adding that it was a wanton destruction that was visited on the Aladja community.
He noted that the most surprising to him was the attack on clinics, saying:
“I wonder why they are attacking clinics that are supposed to take care of sick and injured persons.
“I don’t know what really triggered that, but I had to visit one Mr. Efe America that lost his life. Some have even abandoned their buildings for fear of another reprisal.”
Narrating the incident, an eye witness and elder brother of the deceased, Mr. Michael America, said when the people of Ogbe-ijoh attacked Aladja community, late Mr. Efe America was there and was shot dead while defending the community.
However, other members of the community who gave detail of the attack pointed accusing fingers at the Nigerian military, adding that the attackers were dressed in Army uniforms
A woman who spoke on condition of anonymity said they were attacked by men in Army uniforms while they were selling in the market at the water side.
“We were at the market when they came to the community. We all ran for our lives and they started destroying our homes door to door. My windows were destroyed even our clinics were destroyed and all the patients had to run for their lives though they didn’t attack any patient,” she said.
Corroborating that report, another Aladja resident who witnessed the attack, Mr. Abraham Akporedo, while speaking to newsmen said:
“On that faithful day we were at the clinic when men in Army uniforms came and said we should leave the road and they started destroying our clinic and our homes. So all the patients that were inside the clinic ran away,” he said, adding that “most members of the community have deserted their homes for fear.”
Addressing Aladja community leaders, Barr. Adelabu said “Senator Ede Dafinone had sent the team to assess the extent of the damage caused by the recent clashes, with the hope of reporting back to him. He advised the people of Aladja to be calm.”
Present at the occasion are some Aladja Community leaders and elders including, Mr. Shell Okakotu Godfirst (President-General of Aladja Community), Prof. Jomata Igben, (First Vice President General), High Chief C.C.I wiliki (immediate past first Vice President of Aladja), Dcn Richard Lafue, (former Vice
President General Aladja leaders of thought), Chief James Toka, Chief Stanley Ufuoma, Barr. Valentine Onojeghuo and Mr Felix Metieh KSN.
Others present during the visit include Mr. David Rheriobore (Udu APC chairman), High Chief Luke O. Ogedegbe, Chief Austine lafue Aladja Community First vice president, Mr Anthony Onokene, Mr. Amos Utiri amongst others..
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