Again: Ogbe-Ijoh, Aladja communities in gun duel

By Timi Black

Pandemonium in Warri and its environs as Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities of Warri South West and Udu Local Government Areas locked horns in a fierce gun battle on Sunday morning.

Congress recalled that the two neighbouring communities have been in unresolved war part for a long time which had led to serious bloodshed and massive destruction of properties in the both communities.

A source said the renewed crisis broke out on Saturday night when some suspected Aladja community youths allegedly invaded the Warri South West Local Government Secretariat and shot intermittently at residents.

The source added that the Ogbe-Ijoh community youths were forced to return fire to repel the attackers.

Another Community source said the war continued on Sunday morning when the attackers reinforced to Ogbe-Ijoh community where suspected persons were shot.

However, the former IYC Ogbe-Ijoh clan chairman, Okosu Smart confirmed the incident in a phone chat, adding that Aladja community youths attack the sleeping Ogbe-Ijoh community and it took them the grace of God to repel them as several efforts were made to burn the community.

But a source from Aladja community who pleaded annomity said it was Ogbe-Ijoh community youths that invaded them, and there was a serious shooting in Aladja community until the military chased out the Ogbe-Ijoh invaders from the community.

Meanwhile, the cause of the renewed crisis between both communities is still sketchy at press time.