There is palpable tension in Umuaja, Ukwuani local government area of Delta state, following the alleged invasion of farmlands in the locality by persons suspected to have been hired by Umutu community with whom it has a lingering boundary dispute.
The trespassers were said to have been spotted in the farms pegging some portions of land, which was suggestive of boundary demarcation.
The youths of the community, who got wind of the development, converged on the palace of the Okpala Ukwu of Umuaja to seek the opinions of the elders on the matter but were told to exercise restraint in dealing with the issue in the interest of peace.
Speaking on the matter, a community leader, Comrade Ossai Ugo, described the action of Umutu community as a direct affront to Umuaja and urged Ukwuani Local Government and the Delta State Government to call them to order.
Comrade Ugo said it was confrontational for Umutu to have embarked on the demarcation of its boundaries with Umuaja without involving the community, pointing out that the boundary dispute had been taken to Ukwuani Local Government Council, the Police, Ministry of Justice and the Multidoor Court in Asaba where an agreement was entered into by both parties.
He said Umuaja was a peaceful community and would not engage in any war with Umutu over the matter, even as he called on the state government to implement the agreement reached on the boundary demarcation to forestall any breach of the peace.
Also speaking, another leader, Hon Ekpete Jonathan, reiterated the need for the relevant authorities to amicably resolve the boundary dispute, stressing that both communities had enjoyed cordial relations in the past and needed to show understanding and work together to rest the matter.
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