Nine killed in renewed Delta communal clash

At least nine people have been killed in Delta State following a resumption of hostilities between two neighbouring communities involved in a boundary dispute.

The incident happened at a boundary between Oleh and Ozoro communities.

The two communities which are in Isoko South and North local government areas of the state are presently embroiled in renewed hostilities.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the two communities have been having an intractable dispute with intermittent clashes.

The incident caused pandemonium in the two communities with the victims of the clash from both sides.

Oleh, which is the administrative headquarters of Isoko South also hosts the law campus of the Delta State University, while Ozoro, the headquarters of Isoko North, hosts the Delta State Polytechnic.

The two warring communities are the major towns in Isokoland in the state.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the current clash started when armed youths from one of the communities on Friday launched an attack at the market area in Ozoro, which lies in the middle of the land in dispute.

Many other residents, it was gathered, were also severely injured in the ongoing crisis.

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The incident was confirmed by the spokesperson of the police in the state, Onome Onovwakpoyeya.

According to her, six of the deceased victims were male and three females.

She said the state police command has sent reinforcements to the area and they have succeeded in bringing the clash under control.

The police spokesperson also called on both communities to give peace a chance.