ASABA/Nigeria: In a bid to end the ongoing hostilities between the Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities in Udu and Warri South-West Local Government Areas, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has made a fervent call for an immediate ceasefire.
The Governor made this appeal in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, on Friday, where he outlined the measures being taken to restore peace in the troubled region. The Governor announced that security agencies have been deployed to the area to ensure the return of normalcy and prevent any further escalation of violence.
Expressing his concern over the persisting conflict, Governor Oborevwori emphasized that the government would no longer tolerate any breach of peace in the two communities. He appealed to the leaders and youths of Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh to prioritize peaceful coexistence and refrain from resorting to armed confrontation to settle the land dispute.
The Governor assured that the government is committed to finding a lasting solution to the crisis. As part of this effort, he stated that the White Paper on the matter would be revisited to explore necessary measures that could bring an end to the protracted conflict.
Governor Oborevwori’s message to the communities was clear: “Let me appeal to the youths and leaders of both Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities to cease fire and stop further hostilities on the disputed land. No amount of land is worth dying for because when you fight and kill yourselves, the land will still remain.”
He further underscored the seriousness of the situation by directing security agencies to be proactive in maintaining law and order in the disputed area, warning that anyone found to be instigating crises between the communities would face the full force of the law.
As the Delta State government takes decisive steps to address the long-standing conflict, the hope remains that both communities will heed the call for peace and opt for dialogue and reconciliation in finding a resolution to the land dispute.
The communities have been embroiled in a longstanding and intractable land dispute, which has led to violence and loss of lives.
