A renewed land dispute between the Ogwor and Umuobor communities in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, has tragically claimed at least four lives. The conflict centers around a fertile piece of land known as Elueke, a subject of contention for decades. Despite a Supreme Court ruling declaring Umuobor as the rightful owner, successive state governments have failed to enforce the decision, leaving the dispute to fester and erupt in periodic violence.
The recent escalation began with the killing of a woman on Monday.
Although from a neighboring community, she was reportedly working on the disputed land with individuals from Ogwor when gunmen, suspected to be from Umuobor, attacked. This incident was followed by a reprisal attack on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of three people from Umuobor.
A source from Umuobor described the dire situation faced by residents due to the ban on accessing the land. Facing severe hunger, some individuals ventured onto the land to harvest yams when they were ambushed by assailants believed to be from Ogwor. The attack resulted in three deaths and two missing persons.
The coordinator of the Akaeze Development Centre, Chinasa Okorie, acknowledged the killings and appealed for peace. He urged all parties to refrain from entering the disputed area until the state government resolves the issue. Okorie emphasized the existing executive order prohibiting access to the land, highlighting the consequences of violating it.
The chairman of the local council, Emmanuel Ajah, echoed this sentiment, condemning both communities for disregarding government directives. He reiterated the buffer zone status of the land, warning that anyone entering the area does so at their own risk. Ajah pointed to the ongoing work of a government-appointed committee to find a lasting solution, stressing that violence only undermines these efforts.
The police spokesperson for the state, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the woman’s death on Monday and appealed for calm. He urged all stakeholders to respect the government’s efforts to mediate the dispute and emphasized the ongoing investigation into the recent violence. Ukandu reiterated the call to stay away from the disputed area pending government intervention.
The ongoing land dispute between the Ogwor and Umuobor communities continues to claim lives and disrupt the peace of the region. The failure to enforce the Supreme Court ruling and the repeated violations of the government’s directives have exacerbated the situation. A lasting resolution requires not only government intervention but also a commitment from both communities to peaceful coexistence and adherence to the law.
