130 policemen drafted to warring communities in Edo

Uchechukwu Olisah, Benin City - 07.01.2008

OVER 130 anti-riot policemen have been drafted to the Enwan and Akuku communities in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State to forestall further outbreak of hostilities in the area.

The two communities had been engaged in an age-long land dispute which had resulted in clashes that had claimed about 35 lives in recent times.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Peter Ogboi, said after the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Dega, visited the area, that 50 mobile policemen had been added to the 80 men already on ground to maintain law and order in the area.

“Since the outbreak of hostilities at the yuletide in Enwan and Akuku communities of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, we increased the police mobile personnel to continue to maintain peace and this has brought peace to the areas.

“The commissioner of police was at Igarra and the two communities. The crisis had spilled to Igarra. It will not be a tea party issue; if we are to bring in the full action of the police. It is important that the sons and daughters of the communities call themselves to order.

“I am also aware that the police are doing their best but the police will not fold its arms to watch people committing crimes. The police command will take decisive action should the people refuse dialogue.”

Meanwhile, the state government may have decided to set up peace and conflict resolution committees at the local government level to stem the spate of communal crises in the state.

The chairman of the state Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee, Dr Francis Omo-Osunde Iyasere, said it had become necessary to establish the committees at the local government level to respond promptly to conflict issues before they escalate.