Two people were killed in a renewed communal clash between Umuobor-Akaeze and Ogwor communities in Ebonyi State, intensifying a longstanding feud over disputed land

Two individuals have reportedly been killed in the latest outbreak of violence between the Umuobor-Akaeze and Ogwor communities in the Ishiagu area of Ebonyi State.

The renewed communal clash has escalated tensions in the region, which has been marred by violence over several decades.

According to community sources, the victims—a man and a woman—were ambushed by suspected assailants on Monday while traversing the disputed land.

The clash, centred around the fertile Elueke land, has resulted in numerous fatalities over the years, with many lives lost, including men, women, and innocent passersby. The violence has also led to the destruction of properties worth billions of naira.

The two communities have been at loggerheads for nearly 50 years, with the Elueke land at the heart of the ongoing dispute. The government has struggled to resolve the issue, but the conflict continues to flare up periodically.

The latest killings underscore the deep-seated tensions that remain unresolved despite various attempts at peacemaking.

Governor Francis Nwifuru has intervened in the past, declaring the disputed land a buffer zone to prevent further clashes. Additionally, he set up a committee to address the longstanding crisis. However, according to local sources, these efforts have not yet yielded a lasting solution.

Mr. Nwoba Chika Nwoba, a social media critic, expressed his concern over the escalation of violence. He revealed that he had written to Governor Nwifuru on multiple occasions, urging him to take urgent action to put an end to the conflict.

“I had written twice earlier that the governor, Francis Nwifuru, should do something urgently to bring this to a halt, but I’m not sure he has done anything obvious to end the feud.”

Nwoba further stated, “I’m still calling on the governor to do something to end this lest it becomes too difficult to handle. Every life matters, and the stakeholders of these two towns should join hands to get this unnecessary bloodshed quenched.”

The Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed that he had not yet received a report regarding the recent killings.

The ongoing conflict between the Umuobor-Akaeze and Ogwor communities in Ivo Local Government Area continues to be a major security concern, with both the local authorities and the state government under pressure to prevent further violence.