DELTA: CRISIS BREWS OVER ALLEGED REMOVAL OF BOUNDARY SIGNBOARD

Daily Sun gathered that there is no love lost between the two communities as a result of a protracted dispute over the ownership of a parcel of land in the area.

According to Obi of Atuma-Iga, HRM Agbogidi Obi Chukwuka Daniel Ogbudo, the former chairman of the council area, Mr. Ben Okonkwo was on the verge of laying the dispute to rest before he left office.

He said the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku was equally making efforts to amicably resolve the matter 'when the people of Akwukwu-Igbo on July 5 went and destroyed the ancient landmark boundary between Atuma-Iga and Akwukwu-Igbo.'

The monarch further alleged that, 'they also carted away the destroyed signboard' on claims that 'the boundary was no longer there.'

But in a swift reaction, the Obi of Akwukwu-Igbo, HRM, Obi David Azuka, said 'Obi-in-Council, Akwukwu-Igbo has not mandated or sent any group to destroy or remove the ancient boundary signboard as alleged by the people of Atuma-Iga.'

The Obi of Atuma-Iga community had called on the state government through the Boundary Adjustment Committee (BAC) to wade into the face-off  before the situation got out of control and for peace to reign, an option the Obi of Akwukwu-Igbo said his community was equally disposed to.

The Atuma-Iga community leader also appealed to the present leadership of Oshimili North Council Area and the member representing the area in Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Pat Mozea, to join forces in resolving the land dispute.