The people of Ariam-Usaka Community in Ikwauno Local Government Area of Abia State have cried out over the incessant killing of their people on a land dispute between the community and Nkari community in Ini Local Government Area of Akwa-Abom State.
The community, which shares a boundary with Akwa Ibom State, has suffered setback and killings for some time, over the lingering land dispute.
However, a source who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent that efforts made so far by the people of Ariam-Usaka to stop the attacks on their communities had not yielded result, owing to the fact that the state government had not shown enough commitment towards a lasting solution.
She confirmed that, so far, four persons had been killed by the Nkari people and that tension was still very high.
The victims are: Iroegbulam Isaac, Boniface Ugwunna, Ihenacho Orioha, and Uwaechegi Ugorji.
It was also confirmed that the bodies of some of indigenes of Ariam-Usaka, allegedly killed by the Nkari people, had yet to be recovered due to the tension in the disputed area and this had sparked a peaceful protest last week in Usaka-Ukwu Community by indigines of Ariam-Usaka, who turned out in large numbers, reminding the state government of its duty to protect lives and properties.
Meanwhile, in a swift reaction to the incident, the Acting Governor of the State, Sir Ude Oko chukwu, last Friday, paid a visit to Usaka Ukwu community where the killings took place and assured them of Government’s commitment to ending the feud.
He also expressed deep worries over the killings, and noted that action would be taken to curtail the sad incident and find a lasting solution to the crisis.
“The Government is committed to protecting lives and properties,” he said.
However, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abia State Command, SP. Geoffrey Ogbonna, noted that the Police was doing everything to resolve the crisis.
There were reports during the week that Ariam-Usaka, made up of nine autonomous communities, was under siege, following a boundary dispute between the communities and their neighbouring communities in Akwa-Ibom State.
Speaking at his palace, the traditional ruler of Obugwu Autonomous community in Ariam-Usaka, Eze Ambrose Nwagwu, narrated how the people of Nkari in Akwa-Ibom State with whom they share boundary attacked their people over the land issue.
He said if proactive measures were not taken by constituted authorities, they might resort to self defence.
On his part, the Commissioner for Housing in the state, Hon. Theophilus Ugboajah, an Indigene of the area, wondered why such attacks could be perpetrated by Nkari people, even when both governments were making efforts to resolve the crisis.
The commissioner stressed that it was very disheartening, especially since there had been a peace meeting at the Military Base along the Ikot- Ekpene border, between the two states in May 2020, where all the warring communities from each state’s local governments met.
At the gathering, all parties were advised to maintain peace and allow the government resolve the dispute amicably.
On the other hand, some indigenes of Usaka-Ukwu community have accused their state government of not putting enough effort into resolving the boundary disputes, which have been on for a long time, stressing that, if urgent steps are not taken, they will resort to self-help, as they have already lost four persons.
They also used the opportunity to call for government’s attention to provide them with good road network and other basic social amenities, maintaining that they had been neglected for a long time by successive governments.
