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Anambra/Kogi oil battle: Communities send SOS to FG

By on April 20, 2013

The battle over the ownership of oil wells at the border communities between Anambra, Enugu and Kogi states intensified within the week, leading to the disappearance of no fewer than 19 persons from Okpeze, Aguleri, in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State.

About 22 houses have also been burnt in the latest attack.

This followed a renewed bloody clash between the community and their Echonwa and Odeke neighbours, in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Consequently, the people of Aguleri have sent a Save-Our-Soul,SOS, to the Federal Government and the governments of Anambra and Kogi states to intervene immediately to avoid further loss of lives and property.

A source revealed that a free-for-all, which involves usage of dangerous weapons has been on since Wednesday.

Sources from Okeze community alleged that they were taken unawares on Wednesday and Thursday nights, when gunmen from Kogi State swooped on their homes, shooting and setting them on fire.

They further alleged that people who ran out of their homes when the shooting began were captured and taken to unknown destinations.

A woman, Mrs. Martha Nweke, who said her husband was among those missing disclosed that “We were asleep when suddenly, we heard sounds of gunfire from different directions. There was pandemonium, as many people ran out of their houses half naked, into the bush. Many children were heard crying, as the invaders dragged their fathers out to unknown places.

“Most of the people slept in the bush and when the day broke, we discovered that many houses were either burnt or looted.

“I thought my husband ran into the bush with others, but when he did not appear the following morning, we knew that he was among those kidnapped.

“We are worried because these invaders had boasted, in the past, that they would continue to kill and eat our people. We want government to step into this matter without further delay to save us from this trauma.

“We are just beginning to settle down after last year’s flood that destroyed our homes and crops and here we are again facing this attempt to sack us from our community by Kogi people because oil was discovered in our land”.