A BLOODY communal strife over a parcel of land between the people of Umuodafe, Ibusa and Asaba, Delta State during the weekend resulted in the death of one person while several others were injured.

The cause of the violent clash between the two neighbouring communities is the Umuodafe Isiuzo farmland located off the Ibusa-Asaba
Road, near the immigration office.

The National President of Ibusa Youth Council (IYC), Comrade Alfred Isoh, who broke the news of the clash, said that but for his timely personal
intervention, the situation would have resulted in a full-blown war between the two communities.

Isoh charged that on Friday, two heavily armed youths from Asaba invaded the land at Umuodafe-Isiuzo behind the Immigration office,
shooting sporadically,

He said that the attackers took Ibusa people, who were just carrying out their daily chores to eke out a living unawares, and that the workers took to their heels but the pale loader operator, Christopher was not so lucky, as he was killed on the spot.

He said: “Since yesterday, I have been going round to calm our people, believing that government will intervene, but it seems that government is handicapped as the Police have not responded.”

The youth leader alleged that Asaba people have been making moves to take over the area and that he had written several petitions to the
Police but lamented that they refused to act.

He said: “We relied on the Police but you can see that the Police cannot protect us, we are watching, tension is high, but for how long? This is where some persons earn their living and we cannot continue to keep silent in the face of attack. The body has been deposited in the
General Hospital mortuary at Ibusa.”

“ The Police is aware of the incident, yet no arrest has been made. Christopher was somebody’s relation, someone’s friend and the land in question is where people work every day to feed, our people want justice.”

Attempts to get reactions from youth leaders in Asaba proved abortive as they promised to get detailed information before responding, but the
Delta State Police spokesperson Celestina Kalu denied knowledge of the killing.

Kalu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police said: “The police is not aware of the violent clash between Asaba and Ibusa youths over a parcel of land. I am not aware of any death resulting from the clash.”