Anambra/Kogi Border Dispute: 19 Missing, 22 Houses Burnt in Aguleri

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: Anambra/Kogi border dispute: 19 missing, 22 houses burnt in Aguleri
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  No fewer than 19 persons from Okpeze, Aguleri, in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State have been reported missing and 22 houses razed, following renewed bloody clash between the community and their Echonwa and Odeke neighbours, in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State.
  
  Saturday Sun gathered that dangerous weapons were freely used during all-night fierce battle on Wednesday and Thursday.   Eyewitnesses and relations of the missing people in Anambra told newsmen yesterday that they were taken unawares on Wednesday and Thursday nights, when gunmen from Kogi State swooped on their homes, shooting and setting them and fire.  The victims alleged that when the gunmen invaded the area, people who ran out of their homes were captured and taken to unknown destinations.
  
  One of the women, Mrs. Martha Nweke told newsmen that her husband was among those missing. She said: “We were asleep when suddenly, we heard sounds of gunfire from many directions. There was pandemonium, as many people ran out of their houses half naked, into the bush. Many children were heard crying, as the invaders dragged their fathers out to unknown places.  “Most of the people slept in the bush and when the day broke, we discovered that many houses were either burnt or looted.
  
  I thought my husband ran into the bush with others, but when he did not appear the following morning, we knew that he was among those kidnapped.  “We are worried because these invaders had boasted, in the past, that they would continue to kill and eat our people. We want government to step into this matter without further delay to save us from this trauma.
  
  “We are just beginning to settle down after last year’s flood that destroyed our homes and crops and here we are again facing this attempt to sack us from our community by Kogi people because oil was discovered in our land.”  Meanwhile, the people of Aguleri have sent a Save-Our-Soul (SOS), to the Federal Government and the governments of Anambra and Kogi states to intervene immediately to avoid further loss of lives.