Aja-Ebighan Land Dispute: LGA Chairmen’s intervention prevent violent confrontation

Potentially violent confrontation, regarding the growing controversy over ownership of ‘Aja-Ebighan Community’ was averted Thursday August 27, as a result of the intervention of the Chairman of Warri North Local Government Area in Delta State, Hon. Festus Ashima and his counterpart in neighbouring Ilaje Local Government Area in Ondo State, Hon. Orekpenaye Maurice.

Our Warri North Correspondent, reports that the situation, had raised fears of casualties and destruction of property, following rising tension over alleged encroachment, involving the Ilaje Local Government Area.

Hon. Ashima, who visited the Itsekiri community to douse tension and reassure his people, was reportedly confronted by Ondo State internal security personnel and members of the Amotekun Corps in the disputed area.

Addressing his Itsekiri people, Hon. Ashima urged them to remain calm and law-abiding, stressing that issues bordering on land disputes and boundary adjustment, are constitutional matters that cannot be resolved through mere negotiations between individuals or local authorities.

Hon. Festus Ashima (2^nd right) Hon. Orekpenaye Maurice (left) & others

He further maintained that he was aware that the disputed territory was already before the Supreme Court, insisting that all parties should refrain from taking actions capable of prejudicing the judicial process and should await the court's decision.

On his part, the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Hon. Orekpenaye Maurice, appealed to his people to remain peaceful and law-abiding, stressing that nobody should take the law into his or her own hands, since government and the courts are already handling the matter.

The two chairmen disclosed that the governors of Delta and Ondo States, are aware of the crisis surrounding the disputed area, stressing that the matter would be handled by both Governors at their level, for further discussion and appropriate resolution.

The two Council Chairmen's intervention is expected to further calm tempers in the affected communities and prevent the land dispute from escalating into a wider crisis between the people of Warri North and Ilaje.

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