Fresh land dispute rattles Ayamelum

FRESH land dispute has  allegedly erupted   between  Omor  and Igbakwu communities  of Ayamelu  Local Government Area of Anambra State.

It was gathered that  Igbakwu community was on Friday, attacked by syndicates  from Omor community over a protracted land dispute between the two communities  which  court judgment  had in the past, ruled in favour of Igbakwu community.

According to an eye witness, Mr. Anthony Edochie, from Isiokwe village, Igbakwu , the syndicates equipped themselves with sophisticated weapons such as guns, matches and other dangerous  weapons..

He said  that the syndicates besieged Igbakwu community  around  6:30am and attacked  one  Mr. Peter Okafor from Isiokwe village, Amaechi Onuorah  from Eriator village and Mr. Sunday Onyibor, also from Eriator, cutting them with matchets.

According to him, the  syndicates  equally  set  ablaze a  four- room and parlour apartment belonging to one  Mr. Peter Onyejekwe, from Eriator and a Retired Police Officer.

President-General of  Igbakwu  Community, Mr. Mike Chike, confirmed  the incident and assured that the stakeholders in Ayamelum communities were on top of the matter.

According to him, the Anambra State Government has  intervened  by sending  a  team  of  joint security men to the area, adding that both  the state government  and  chairman, Transition Committee of the LGA, were  working  out modalities to fashion out a permanent solution to the vicious land dispute over the years.

He said that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO),  in charge  of Ayamelu Local Government Area, has been duly informed.

The  President-General of Omor community, Mr. Mike Nnebife, also confirmed the incident, stressing that the people of Igbakwu , in retaliation, shot   three people, adding that they  were receiving treatment in a hospital.

He denied  the allegation that the people of Omor   set  houses  on fire, rather he said that  it  was alleged  by the people of Igbakwu  as some of their defensive mechanism against them.

As at the time of filing this report, all  efforts  to contact the state police public relations officer  proved abortive.