The dispute over the ownership of oil wells between the Echono and Odoke in Ibaji local government area in Kogi State and their neighbours in Aguleri, Anambra State has led to the death of four persons.
The dispute started last year when the President Goodluck Jonathan commissioned the Orient Refinery and named Anambra State among oil-producing states in the country.
LEADERSHIP Weekend learnt that the feud between the communities was heightened by a fresh dispute over the ownership of a fishing pond
The divisional security officer (DSO) of Ibaji local government area, Suleiman Mohammed, told our correspondent that reports reaching him indicated that the clash had claimed four Ibaji men while two others were kidnapped to an unknown destination in Awka, Anambra state .
He said the people of Echono and Odeke, who host the disputed oil wells, woke up on the fateful day to discover that their fishing pond close to the wells had been taken over by their neighbours from Anambra State.
He hinted that an attempt by the Ibaji communities to force the “invaders” out of the area was fiercely resisted and led to the death of four Ibaji men while two others were kidnapped.
The Kogi State command police public relations officer, Romanus Nwaneri, said the situation had been put under control as his men had been drafted to the area. However, he added that no life was lost even as he dispelled the kidnapped story.
Head of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Kogi State, Lt-Col. Gabriel Olorunyomi, claimed ignorance of the incident.
