Anambra/Kogi Border Clash: Stakeholders Call For Restraint

Stakeholders in the Omambala area of AnambraState have waded into the crisis that erupted in the area following Monday’s attack by some people suspected to be from Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State.

This came as the state police command said a joint police and military patrol team had been deployed in the area.

The battle for the control of the oil-rich communities in Aguleri Otu in Anambra State and Odeke community in Abaji Local Government Area of Kogi State which had already claimed seven lives and destruction of property worth thousands of naira took another dimension, yesterday, as some youths attempted a showdown in the area.

It was gathered that the youths had engaged the services of local vigilance groups in the area to assist them in a reprisal attack, but a former senator that represented Anambra North, Chief Emma Anosike, prevailed on them to sheath their swords.

Anosike, while reacting to the development, said: “The youths I met in the area received me warmly and I told them to lay down their arms. I told them to consider the socio-economic benefits of the oil and gas to their individual well-being.”

“They had planned to attack some homes of community leaders and clan heads in both Kogi and Anambra states and the reprisal attacks would have been bloody. We thank God that they were able to listen to us and I also promised that government would see to it that whatever was lost is compensated for.”

Source: Legit.ng