The long-standing boundary dispute between the Abaomege and Isinkwo communities of Ebonyi State’s Onicha Local Government Area has once again erupted, resulting in the loss of two lives and leaving a policeman injured. The incident occurred yesterday morning at approximately 7 a.m., although the precise details surrounding the outbreak remain unclear at this time.
Confirming the incident to the press in Abakaliki, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ebonyi State Police Command, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, revealed that the injured policeman is currently undergoing treatment, while the police force is actively pursuing the assailants involved in the attack.
According to Onovwakpoyeya, the unfortunate incident unfolded when three individuals, including a police officer who was on his way home after completing his shift, were shot in the Abaomege-Oshinkwo communal crisis area by Oshinkwo warriors. Immediate medical attention was provided to the victims, yet tragically, two of them succumbed to their injuries, while the policeman is showing signs of improvement.
Regrettably, it remains uncertain which community initiated the attack, as this ongoing decade-long dispute has already claimed numerous lives and resulted in the destruction of properties worth millions of Naira. Despite the state government’s intervention through the revocation and acquisition of the contested land, the crisis has persisted without relenting.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to this protracted boundary dispute, which has left communities in Ebonyi State gripped by fear and instability. The authorities must continue their efforts to apprehend the culprits responsible for this recent outbreak of violence, while also striving to establish lasting peace and harmony between the Abaomege and Isinkwo communities.
As the situation unfolds, the hearts of the nation are heavy with sorrow for the lives lost and hopes are fervently held for the full recovery of the injured policeman. The people of Ebonyi State yearn for an end to the cycle of bloodshed and despair, and it is imperative that all stakeholders work together to achieve a sustainable resolution that will restore tranquility to the region.
