The Nigerian Army has waded into the renewed crisis between the Aladja Community in the Udu Local Government Area and Ogbe-Ijoh community in the Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
According to the Army authorities, their presence will restore peace and order.
In a release by the Commander, 63 Brigade, Brigadier General MLD Saraso, said, “at about 5:15pm on Saturday 5th November, 2022, troops of 3 Battalion (Rear) deployed on patrol duties at the border area between Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja communities received a distressed call from some locals in Ogbe-Ijoh”.
The Army attributed the resurgence of the crisis to the locals from Ogbe-Ijoh, who had alleged that youths from Aladja destroyed a symbolic flag site at their community roundabout.
The Army stated, “it was gathered that the community clan flag of unascertained significance has been traditionally mounted at a site in the area by youths of Ogbe-Ijoh
Giving further insight into the crisis, it said there was an allegation that the flag site had previously been scuttled by Aladja youths a few weeks ago without any provocation, but the same was repaired and the clan flag replaced before it was allegedly destroyed again on the 5th November 2022.
“Tension brewed between youths of the two communities, leading to sporadic firing by yet-to-be-confirmed persons within the communities.
“The allegation by Ogbe-Ijoh on the distruction of the flag site and firing incident was however denied by Aladja youths rather, the Aladja youths claimed it was Ogbe-Ijoh youths that attacked innocent civilians in their community on a baseless allegation of a crime that could have been committed by a different party,” the security agency noted.
It also blamed Ogbe-Ijoh youths for raising the tension and crisis that ensued in the communities, claiming that at least five persons were injured in their community during the incident.
It said troops have been mobilized and redeployed to the area to conduct patrols to support the police in restoring normalcy in the area. The troops were also reinforced with additional vehicles and equipment for the conduct of a show of force.
It equally stated that patrols as well as stop and search operations to forestall further breakdown of law and order in the area was ongoing.
“The situation is relatively calm now but closely being monitored while effort is also ongoing to reconcile the warring factions”, the Army authorities added.
