The boundary dispute between Kogi and Anambra States continued Monday with the killing of one person, Friday Ugbede, and injuring of several others.
It was gathered that the crisis started when Anambra youths allegedly stormed one of the farm settlements in Echewno in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State and attacked people working on their farms.
A resident of the area simply identified as Benjamin Adiku, revealed that Anambra youths in the early hours of Monday attacked the people of Echenwo community.
“Our people went to the farm as usual without any inclination that Anambra youths would come and attack them. They were surprised when Anambra youths stormed the area and started shooting sporadically. Our people had to run for their lives,” he said.
He said in the ensuing confusion, one person was killed while several others were injured and called on the government to put adequate security measures in place to save the community from further attacks.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Kogi State, Romanus Nwanere, said information about the incident was still sketchy, but added that calm has returned to the area. He however said the command deployed police personnel to the area to assess the situation.
In his reaction, Special Adviser to Governor Peter Obi on Security, Col George Molokwu said, “I am aware of fresh skirmishes. I was told that two persons were hospitalized for gunshot wounds. I am surprised at the development because Kogi and Anambra States governors have spoken on the need for calm and peace on this issue of boundary.”
It will be recalled that since President Goodluck Jonathan declared Anambra State an oil producing state, the area has been engulfed in hostilities, leading to loss of lives and property.
