Peace has been restored to the two communities of Irhodo and Okuno in Idjerhe kingdom of Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State where a disagreement resulted into armed confrontation.
One life was allegedly lost while many properties were destroyed in the conflict.
The New Diplomat learnt that the two communities went for each other’s jugular when a young man from one of the villages committed adultery with a married woman in the other neighbouring village. Rather than seek a way to put up claim for damages in the traditional way, relations of the youths from the husband’s community mobilized and went on rampant destruction of the properties of the alleged adulterer.
It was gathered that in the ensuing revenge and counter-revenge, one young man lost his life while another was seriously injured. Property worth thousands of naira were reportedly destroyed in the conflict that lasted three days.
Subsequently, the chairman of the Local Government Council, Nelson Owoso Oghenedoro, imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the affected communities yesterday.
Speaking with our correspondent in a telephone chat, the chairman commended the contribution of the security agencies, the Idjerhe monarch, HRM King Monday Obukohwo Whiskey, youths and vigilantes in restoring peace to the communities.
He said the council and other stakeholders were reaching out to the aggrieved persons who lost a relation and property in the conflict to sheathe their swords and embrace peace, adding that everything was being done to bring culprits to book.
He said: “With what we have done yesterday, I think there is relative peace for now. We are in touch with the people. We invited stakeholders from the communities and we are talking to them.
“Yesterday, we mobilized the army, the police and the chiefs and we moved from one community to the other to appeal to those who lost their properties and those who lost their loved one to sheathe their swords and that we are looking into the matter. We are appealing to them and they have promised to listen to us. We can’t resolve this issue with violence but with dialogue. So, we have appealed to them to maintain peace and remain calm as those who are involved will be brought to book.”
In a brief telephone chat with the royal father of Idjerhe kingdom, HRM King Monday Obukowho Whiskey, he said that peace had been restored to the affected communities, adding that the palace and the chiefs have intervened and everywhere was calm now.
As at the time of filing this report, the Delta State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, was yet to respond to our enquiry if any arrest had been made.
