…Alleges Planned Attack On Them By Edjekota Community
By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
The Ohwodo family of Ewu-Urhobo community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, on Monday, raised a fresh alarm indicting the people of Edjekota community in Ughelli North Local Government Area, of sales of 13 acres from the disputed land that led to a communal crisis and subsequent killing of several persons early 2025.The alleged building in the disputed land
It could be recalled that in April 7, 2025, Ewu Urhobo and Edjekota community’s had a communal clash over a land dispute between two families, but it later escalated to a full blown communal clash that claimed several lives from both communities.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, representatives of the Ohwodo family of Ewu-Urhobo, Pastor Collins Ochuko oyiberhe Secretary, Pastor Highness Akporode, Chairman of the family and Chief John Oyiberhe, Vice Chairman, both owners of the disputed land, said;
“Following the April 7th, 2025, conflicts that claimed some lives and arrests made, the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, waded into the matter by setting up a fact finding and peace resolution committee that comprises of the Ughelli North Local Government Chairman, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, his Ughelli South counterpart, Dr. Lucky Avweromre, and the Udu Local Government Chairman, Chief Austine Oyibode. Both communities were invited and we both signed a peace accord admitting that whatever become the outcome of the matter will be acceptable by both parties.
“We the Ewu Urhobo people came up with all necessary documents as regard the disputed land, and the matter is already before the state government and the court, but we are so surprised that Edjekota people have again bridged that accord by selling the land while the community have not finished their job.”
Pastor Oyiberhe, alleged that knowing that the only access road to Ewu community is through Edjekota, the Edjekota people are now using that as an advantage to unleashed horror, harassed, intimidate and even attempt to kill some individuals they have marked out.
He stated that any tricycle that passes through the Edjekota community coming from Ewu is always harassed, searched by the Edjekota vigilante group and with utterances such as we will get you all down. He further alleged that they are chasing the Ewu people with guns and machetes whenever they travel through the Edjekota.
Hear him: “Every Keke coming from Ewu-Urhobo or going to Ewu-Urhobo is stopped and searched by the vigilantes. Passengers are threatened with guns and with words such as ‘e get the people we dey find, if we see them, dey nor go return alive'”. Pasto Oyiberhe stated.
“Just few days back, we discovered that the disputed land had been encroached into with over 13 acres sold out to someone by the Edjekota community even when the matter is still under settlement.
“They have sold over 13 acres and the land is being built with the foundation up to the DPC level. We have contacted some of those who came to broker peace when crisis started, but we Want to let the general public know that we are a peace loving people, and we do not want war or bloodshed. We are calling in our State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori fir prompt intervention to avoid another clash between the two communities.
“From all indications, the Edjekota community, are fully prepared for war. They knew quite well that the only route to our community is through their community, so they feel they are at vantage position to unleash any form of attack on our people.
“Presently, any Ewu indigene traveling through the route, Edjekota people will chased them with guns and matchets.” Pasto Oyiberhe alleged being chased just on Monday, October 27, 2025, as he was driving down to Ewu, his community.
They maintained that being peace loving people, they do not want to take laws into their hands, hence they are calling on all relevant authorities, including the State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the committee set up and the Delta state police command to call Edjekota people to order and warn them to stay away from the disputed land to avoid further communal crisis.
Contacted, Dr. Lucky Avweromre and Barr. Jaro Egbo, Ughelli North and South Local Government Chairmen, whom were members of the peace and conflict resolution committee to ascertain if the allegations were true, both did not take their calls neither do they reply to a terse message sent to their known phone numbers. But video and pictorial evidence provided by the Ewu people shows that there is an ongoing work of a building which is in its DPC level at thisthe said land.
We call on the relevant authorities and the Delta state Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori to immediately wade in to avoid another bloody clash that may further destabilized the peace enjoyed by both communities.
