Residents of Alagbabiri Community in Ughelli South Local Council of Delta State are appealing for urgent government intervention to end a lingering boundary dispute with neighbouring communities, amid fears that the disagreement could threaten the peace in the area.

The community’s leadership and stakeholders made the appeal during a media interaction yesterday, expressing concern over alleged encroachment on their territory and attacks involving residents of neighbouring communities.

The latest development, according to the community, followed an incident on August 3, 2026, when some Alagbabiri youths who had reportedly gone about their legitimate business activities were allegedly intercepted by individuals from neighbouring communities.

Alagbabiri, a rural community in Eghwu District of Ughelli South, has historically enjoyed cordial relations with neighbouring communities, including Oboro, Bomadi and Olota.

Residents have long interacted through trading, social activities and other forms of communal engagement.

However, the President-General of Alagbabiri Community, Chief Ekpobimi Philip, said the discovery of oil in the area had changed the relationship among the communities, particularly as disputes over land, boundaries and economic benefits became more contentious.

Philip said the recent incident had heightened fears among residents and demonstrated the need for government to find a lasting solution to the dispute before it escalated.

He called for a coordinated intervention by the Federal Government, Delta State Government, security agencies and relevant boundary authorities to establish the facts surrounding the disputed territories and develop a permanent framework for peaceful coexistence.

According to him, resolving the dispute would protect lives and property, safeguard economic activities and prevent the oil resources in the area from becoming a source of prolonged communal conflict.

Philip alleged that on August 3, some Alagbabiri youths were intercepted by individuals from other communities who allegedly crossed the river separating the communities.

He said the community leadership immediately contacted the Delta State Commissioner of Police, who directed the Divisional Police Officer in Burutu to intervene.

The community leader acknowledged the efforts of the police, Department of State Services and other relevant authorities, saying their interventions had helped prevent the disagreement from degenerating into wider violence.

He urged the Federal and Delta State governments to move beyond temporary interventions by establishing a permanent mechanism for resolving the boundary issues.

Philip also appealed to the authorities to protect the lives and property of residents and ensure that all parties abide by lawful procedures for resolving the dispute.

When contacted, the Delta State Police Command confirmed that the communities had been involved in disagreements over land but said its intervention had restored normalcy.

The spokesperson, Bright Edafe, said the police were aware of the dispute and had taken steps to manage the situation.

“Both communities have been having issues over land, but the police have handled the situation and restored normalcy,” Edafe said.