Delta: JTF, Council Chair Avert Clash Between two Urhobo Communities over Control of Market.
LAGOS NOVEMBER 15TH (URHOBOTODAY)-What would have led to losses of lives and property worth millions of Naira was diverted on Saturday by the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) and other security agents who were on ground to broker peace between two Ughelli communities of Oto-Ighrekwu and Ekiugbo over the control of Ughelli Central market located in between the two communities.
Trouble started by 6.00 am on the fateful day when youths from Ekiugbo community erected a sign post at the bridge dividing Ughelli Central Market between the two communities. The youths claimed the Central Market belonged to their community hence it is located in their territory, adding however that Oto-Ighrekwu community had been collecting the dues and revenue generated from the market ever since.
On hearing of the erection of the bill board with inscription, “Welcome to Ekiugbo and Good bye to Ekiugbo and the claim of ownership of the market, Oto-Ighwrekwu youths stormed the arena to challenge the audacity of Ekiugbo youths. Both sides were brandishing dangerous weapons.
Business activities in the market and along the commercial streets linking the ever busy market were shut down. No vehicular movement.
The early arrival of security agents however saved the situation as they formed a boofer zone between the two warring communities and try to broker peace to them.
Ughelli North Local Government Area Chairman Kenneth Ibru later arrived at the scene and brokered peace beween the both communities warring youths. He ejoined the youths to shield their swords, requesting that he should be giving a month to look into the issue. He promised to resolve the issue witjin a month.
Meanwhile, he ordered those collecting revenue to stop it until the issue is resolved.
Peace returning to the area while going to press. We shall keep you abreast of further development
It would be recalled that the Ughelli Centrl Market was attacked by cultists recently inficting serious injuries on scores of traders, buyers and carting their money and valuables.
URHOBOTODAY learnt from a reliable source that the cultist numbering no fewer that forty, between the ages of 15 and 22 years invaded the market at about 6.00 pm on that fateful day while brandishing dangerous weapons like knives, cutlasses and heavy rod among others.
Their invasion of the market as Urhobotoday gathered lead to pandemonium with the traders mainly made of women ran helter skater in order to save their lives. Although no life was lost but a lot of them sustain injuries.