Land Dispute: Ogbovwan community calls for Oborevwori's intervention

To avert another land dispute related crisis in Delta State, the people of Ogbovwan Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, have appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the state Commissioner of police and the traditional ruler of Ughelli Kingdom to urgently intervene in the impending crisis between it and Afiesere community.

Ogbovwan Community had accused its neighbouring Afiesere Community of allegedly erecting two sign posts at the centre of the community with the inscriptions as, "Welcome to Afiesere extension, Good bye From Afiesere extension." 

In a statement signed by Community, Mr. Oshevire Edward JP,  they called on the state government to urgently intervene on the issue in order to avert  conflict between both peace loving communities.

According to the statement, "Afiesere and Ogbovwan are two neighbouring communities who have been living peacefully with one another from time immemorial.

"The cordial relationship between these two communities is no doubt attributable to intermarriage between Indigene of these two communities, whereby over 90 percent of the women married by Ogbovwan including my mother are from Afiesere.  

"It is on record that, Afiesere and Ogbowwan communities have not had any land dispute between them and it is interesting to note that, there are parcels of land belonging to some families of Afiesere but located in Ogbovwan community, are well known with their clearly defined boundaries. 

"Similarly, parcels of land belonging to some families of Ogbovwan but, are located in Afiesere community, are also well known with their clearly defined boundaries.

"Regrettably, this long standing and cordial relationship between these two communities, came under a serious threat when, on Wednesday, 20 March, 2024, and at about 10.30am, a group of youths of Afiesere Community, in two Hilux Pickup vehicles, stormed Ogbovwan community and erected two big sign boards at both ends of Ogbovwan Community with the inscriptions: WELCOME TO AFIESERE COMMUNITY EXTENSION on one side of the bard and GOOD BYE TO AFIESERE COMMUNITY EXTENSION on the other side of the same board and on both boards. 

"It is indeed, not only worrisome, but also highly provocative that, the Afiesere youths pulled down the sign board of OGBOVWAN SECONDARY SCHOOL, and in its place, erected their second signboard. 

"The Ogbovwan youths who were visibly angry were restrained by elders of Ogbovwan Community from confronting the Afiesere youths while in the process of erecting the sign boards.

"All efforts made by the elders of Ogbovwan Community to resolve the issue through dialogue with Afiesere people have so far, proved abortive.

"Some leaders from Ogbovwan community visited the President General of Afiesere Community, Mr. Ovweghrederohwo Richard who said, the issue was beyond him and he arranged a meeting between the two communities on Saturday, 23 March, 2024, in the residence of the oldest man of Afiesere Community.

"At the meeting, youths of Afiesere, who were most vocal, said, the sign boards would not be removed, claiming that, there are parcels of land in Ogbovwan Community belonging to some families of Afiesere which, they "wish to preserve for their unborn generations.

"After these failed attempts. Ogbovwan Community, had no option, than to formally petitioned the Governor of Delta State, the State Commissioner of Police and also appealed to His Royal Majesty, the Ovie of Ughelli kingdom, to intervene and resolve the issue amicably.

"There is palpable tension because of this issue in Ogbovwan as, the entire community, is restive and agitated but, for the appeal for restraint by the elders of Ogbovwan community, the situation would have gone out of control.

"I am therefore, constrained to appeal to our amiable Governor, His Excellency. Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to urgently, intervene in order to avert an imminent violet conflict between these two peace loving communities.

"In the same vein, I am also, appealing to my brothers of Afiesere Community, notably, Engr. Matthew Edevbie, Olorogun David Edevbie, Col. Richard Itobore, Chief Francis Onobruchere and a host of others, to intervene in order to find an amicable solution to this impending inter communal crisis." the statement reads.