A resumed communal clash between the people of K-Dere and B-Dere, both in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers state, is feared to have claimed two lives, even as armed men continue to terrorise the communities. Although the Rivers State police command said it had deployed troops in the area to restore peace and order, community sources claimed B-Dere gunmen were heard firing shots towards K-Dere on Wednesday morning.
According to sources, trouble started on Monday when two natives of K-Dere were abducted in their farmlands in an area called Yemuordee, by men suspected to be from B-Dere
“On Monday, March 18, 2013, two K-Dere natives — Esther Zorgoni, 30, mother of three and Mr Dumle Mubari, 62, father of four — were abducted in their farmlands in K-Dere, in an area called Yemuordee. Suspected B-Dere fighters, armed with new AK-47s, advanced towards K-Dere this morning,” a source, who did not want to be named in print, told the Nigerian Tribune.
It will be recalled that the hostile relationship between the two communities claimed several lives in 2008 and 2011, over matters relating to land.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Ben Ugwuegbulam, said the command had sent in anti-riot policemen to restore order in the area.
Ugwuegbulam, who confirmed that there was unrest in the area, could not confirm the casualty, but said investigation was already ongoing.
As of press time, some members of the communities said they had to relocate to Port Harcourt, the state capital and would only return when they were sure peace had returned to the two communities.
One Patrick Nagbaton said “security agents should do more to ensure enduring peace in the communities.”
Source: OgoniNews