The leaders of Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities of Udu and Warri South-West local government areas of Delta State have signed a peace accord following a meeting with the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ari Muhammed Ali.
The land demarcation crisis, which had claimed the lives of 36-year-old Frank Amakiri and one other, also resulted in loss of properties.
According to a statement by Delta police’s spokesman, DSP Bright Edafe, the peace meeting was held at the Government House annex in Warri and anchored by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Hon (Chief) Edwin C. O Uzor.
“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.
“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 demacration before commencement of the next phase of the demarcation,” the statement said.
Edafe added that the Commissioner of Police therefore warned that further escalation would not be tolerated while defaulters would be duly prosecuted.
“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,” the statement concluded.
Also in attendance at the meeting were the Chairman of Warri South-West LGA, Hon Taiye Duke Tuoyo and the Vice Council Chairman, UDU LGA, Barr. Eloho Awinoron.