–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Michael EKOKORUWE:
The Apex body of Isoko nation, Isoko Development Union, Isoko traditional rulers and president’s general from the 23 clans of Isoko South and North local government areas of Delta State, yesterday visited Emede and Igbide warring communities and appealed for calm and urged the people to embrace peace.
Speaking to the people of Emede and Igbide communities during a town hall meeting at Emede and Igbide respectively, the President General of Isoko Development Union, Dr. Chris Akpotu, represented by the 1st Vice President, Prince Desmond Ogbaudu called on the people to embrace peace, noting that fighting over land which will exist forever is unreasonable.
Dr. Akpotu urged the people to stop escalating the crisis to other Isoko communities in the guise of looking for innocent Emede and Igbide indigenes that either resides or take refuge in such communities. He called on the leaders and parents of those perpetrating the act of criminality to caution their children.
While appealing for calm and restrain, the president general of Oleh, Olomoro and Irri communities urged Emede and Igbide people to sheath their swords and embrace peace, noting that the effects of war brings retrogression.
They stated that reports of blocking major roads and harassing innocent people on transit has become rampant in communities closer to both warring communities and appealed to the people to make the roads accessible and refrain from the act of carnage and criminality.
The president general of Oleh community, Chief Believe Alakri said, on 30th of December 2020, unknown assassins suspected to be armed robbers shot Emede boy along Emore road Oleh, just as one Mr. Ugase a trader from Igbide, was shot dead in his store along Emore road Oleh, by yet to be identified assailants.
According to him, the incident has created panic and tension in the area even as stores owned by Emede and Igbide people in Oleh kingdom are under lock and key. While condemning the ugly situation, he cautioned Igbide and Emede people to steer clear of criminality in Oleh, noting that anybody residing in the communities have right of protection.
On his part, the patron of Isoko Development Union, High Chief Iduh Amadhe described the situation as worrisome, adding that the town hall meeting is to know the remote causes of the recent crisis and how to find lasting solutions.
Amadhe maintained that final boundary to the farmland area; demarcating Emede from Igbide will resolve the dispute which started since 1985. He stated that the traditional oath and court verdict undertaken by both communities ought to have been followed by agreed land demarcation to finally resolve the crisis.
Responding, the former chairman of Emede community, Mr. J. Akibe and Oletu Ologbo of Igbide community, Chief Mike Osige, commended the delegation for the peace talk and promised to maintain decorum, adding that the message of peace is acceptable even as they said, only the truth will resolve the crisis.
HRM Edward Obukeni 1, Ovie of Igbide commended the delegation and said, Igbide is prepared to embrace peace and urged his subjects to remain peaceful as I.D.U, traditional rulers and the presidents’ general of Isoko nation are on top of the situation.
