Pastor and two others killed in land dispute as Delta communities renew hostilities

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

A pastor and two others were reportedly killed in new hostilities between Amai and Umuebu communities in Delta State’s Ukwuani Local Government Area over a long-running land dispute.

On Monday, the pastor was riding a motorcycle with his wife when he was ambushed and shot dead by his assailants.

“Before now, two people have been beheaded,” a source said yesterday. This particular piece of land has been a source of contention between the two communities for more than a century, according to one of the Onetukus today (Tuesday).

“The killings occurred on both sides; when one side strikes, the other side retaliates, but many people believe that some ritualists are taking advantage of the crisis to carry out some killings.”

“Two people were shot two weeks ago, but they did not die; they only received bullet wounds.”

“The chairman of the local government area met with both communities over the weekend and had long hours of meetings with them with police and soldiers in attendance, only for another killing to occur on Monday.”

“Today, the chairman returned to the communities and urged them to sheath their swords.”

Mr Bright Edafe, the Delta State Police Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the killing of two people, saying “one of them, a pastor and his wife riding on a bike, were shot and the husband died.”

He couldn’t tell if the killings were related to the conflict between the two communities.