The Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, has appealed for a cessation of hostilities between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities in Delta State over a boundary dispute that has claimed lives and property destroyed over the past decades.
A UPU delegation led by its first Vice President, Chief Isaac Itebu, on Monday during a visit to Udu Kingdom and Aladja community to ascertain the extent of damages assured the people that the Union will stand by them despite all challenges.
Among the UPU seven-man committee that visited the Ovie of Udu Kingdom, Owhorhu 1, Executives of the Union of Udu Communities and Aladja community were Chief Ominimini Obiuwevbi, Chief Simeon Esite and Forum of Urhobo Kingdoms Presidents General.
Chief Itebu stated that the Urhobos were solidly behind the people of Udu and Aladja community noting that any attack on Aladja land is an attack on the Urhobos adding that the crisis which has been ongoing for more than twenty-seven years has hindered meaningful development in the area and brought untold hardship to the people.
He hailed the Aladja Community for their resilience in trying to defend their land against invasion.
Chief Itebu commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for being proactive in fostering a lasting peace to the lingering crisis between the warring communities.
He appealed to the Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh people to sheath their swords and toe the line of peace assuring that affected victims of the crisis that palliatives will soon be distributed to assist the people of Aladja.
In their responses, Ovie of Udu Kingdom, Owhorhu 1, President General of Union of Udu Communities, Mr Austin Emaduku and the 2nd Vice President General Aladja Leaders of Thought, Dr Richard Lafua, thanked the UPU for their kind gesture adding that the visit has brought hope to the people of Udu Kingdom.
They however appealed to the State Governor and government agencies to facilitate the restoration of peace and provide palliatives for indigenes that have been affected by the crisis.
Among those who were present during the visit were Dr Henry Sakpra, Mr Goru Jonathan Oghenekaro, the Commissioner representing Udu, Ughelli South, Uvwie, and Urhobos of Warri South on the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESPOPADEC), Honourable Karo Goru and the member representing Udu Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Honourable Collins Egbetamah.
