By Ovie Okpare
The Delta State Police Command on Friday confirmed the killing of nine persons in the communal violence that broke out between Oleh and Ozoro communities of Isoko South and Isoko North Local Government Areas of the state.
State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, confirmed the number of victims to NIGER DELTA TODAY (NDT) Online on Friday evening.
Oleh, a host to the Law Campus of the Delta State University, is the administrative headquarters of Isoko South, while Ozoro, a host to Delta State Polytechnic, is the headquarters of Isoko North.
The two warring communities are the major towns in Isokoland in the state.
NIGER DELTA TODAY (NDT) Online reports that Friday’s communal crisis was as a result of the lingering boundary dispute between both communities.
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Aside those killed, several persons were reported to have sustained varying degree of injuries which created tension in the area.
But confirming the killings, the Delta Police spokesperson, Onovwakpoyeya, said six of the deceased victims were male and three females.
She said the state police command has brought clash under control, while calling on both communities to give peace a chance.
“Nine persons were killed during the clash. The victims were six males and three females. I don’t know how many persons were injured. We are working to bring peace to both communities. The situation has been brought control”, the police image-maker stated.
Meanwhile, the Chairman Isoko North Local Government Council, Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor, has appealed for calm among the two warring communities of Oleh and Ozoro, saying that government has launched investigation into the incident.
In a statement on Friday, Egbabor particularly frowned at the killing of Oleh indigenes during the clash.
The Isoko North Council chairman urged security agencies in the state to thoroughly investigate the alleged killings, adding that those behind the attack would be punished.
“It is with great sadness that I received the news of the killing of some Oleh indigenes. While, I commiserate with the deceased families and Oleh community, I appeal to the people of Oleh to please remain calm and allow peace to reign while security agencies investigate the killings.
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“As neighbours, we must do EVERYTHING possible to prevent the unnecessary and unwarranted loss of several lives. It is the height of wickedness for some persons to take the lives of others.
“Isoko remains one and I appeal that we don’t allow things to degenerate further even as government takes necessary action to forestall further breakdown of law and order.” he stated.
He said the Isoko North Security Council has ordered a restriction of pedestrian and vehicular movement between the hours of 7pm and 6am within Ozoro and along the Ozoro/ Oleh back road with immediate effect from today, Friday, Friday 16th October 2020.
