Delta State Commissioner of Police, (CP) Mohammed Ali Ari, has detained leaders of two communities that had been in crisis leading to several deaths

The two communities are Emede and Igbide, both in Isoko South Local Government Area of the state.

Investigations showed that the two communities with a common boundary had a land dispute dating over 15 years. The feud resurfaced late last, leading to the loss of lives in both communities and wonton destruction of property.

News Express learnt that the killings became worrisome as Igbide people were said to have trailed an Emede indigene to another community and murdered him. In the same vein, Emede people were said to have retaliated by trailing an Igbide indigene to another community and also murdered the person.

The ugly trend that occurred on Christmas and New Year day was said to have prompted leaders of Isoko Development Union (IDU) to summon leaders of the two communities, ordering them to halt the feud and not to extend their killings to other communities

However there was a fragile peace until Ali Ari assumed duties on January 14, 2021 as the new Delta Police Commissioner.

He soon made the Emede/Igbide feud one of his first assignments. Four days after assumption of duty Ali Ari was said to have had a townhall meeting with Emede people, urging them to shield their sword. He was said to have proceeded to Igbide and held a similar meeting, in addition to meeting with retired General Paul Omu, who hails from Igbide.

In order to ensure that there is permanent peace, the police commissioner was said to have summoned the royal fathers of the two communities to Asaba, the state capital. He consequently ordered their detention and thereafter ordered them to sign a peace accord.

Those detained from Igbide included Chief Dr. Edegware David, Ogbare Emamuzo, and Odafe Awhoregba, while those detained on the part of Emede were Benson Pkah-Avae and Akhigbe James.

CP Ali Ari said: “l told to sign peace accord because they inter-marry. Why should they be killing themselves? They are all brothers and sisters. I also warned that l will not tolerate any form of community crisis leading to killing of human beings. In fact, l will go all out for anyone one involved in shedding blood – whether cultists kidnappers or armed robbers.”

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