No less than three persons have been killed, and four others abducted in a new boundary dispute between Amasiri and Oso Edda communities in Ebonyi State.
Oso-Edda Community is located in the Afikpo South Local Government area, while Nde Ndukwe Amasiri Community is in the Afikpo North Local Government area.
The communities have been embroiled in an age-long land dispute which has been managed from turning violent till this week.
Violence in the area resurfaced on Monday and lasted till Wednesday when security agencies stepped in to restore normalcy.
Details have remained sketchy, but sources in the area alleged that individuals suspected to be Amasiri community militia invaded Okporojo, Nde Obasi, Ogiri and Idima – all farm settlement villages in Ọsọ-Edda, destroying houses and razing farm produce.
This reportedly led to a reprisal attack by the Oso-Edda people.
The state police spokesman, Chris Anwanwu, confirmed the incident but was silent on the casualty figure.
The four abducted Edda youths were said to have been freed unhurt, according to a statement released by the Council Chairman of Afikpo South Local Government Area, Chima Ekumankama, who appealed for calm among the people.
The Chairman of Afikpo North Local Government Area, Uche Ibiam, who also confirmed the incident, says a peace meeting organized by the Chairmen of both Councils in collaboration with some Monarchs and Heads of Security Agencies in the area had restored normalcy to the affected communities.
