Abuja – The traditional ruler of Illah in Delta, Obi Akazue Gbemudu II, said two villages warring over land in the community had been barred from the disputed area.
He said that a committee had been constituted to investigate the dispute and that the restriction on the villages would remain in force until the committee concluded its assignment.
A statement on Tuesday in Abuja by Mr Olisa Ifeajika, Publicity Secretary-General, Illah Development Union of Nigeria (IDUN), said the monarch made this known at the community’s 2017 Easter Conference held at the weekend.
The statement quoted Gbemudu II as saying that both villages, Ajaji and Ukwumege, had been asked to stay away from the disputed land until the committee concluded its assignment.
The traditional ruler, who was represented by Chief Tony Omesiete-Gbemudu, said the stay-away order was irrespective of current investments by both parties on the land.
He added that youths of both villages had also been barred from entering the disputed area.
According to monarch, the Ogbelani of Illah, the committee has till the end of April to conclude the investigation and submit its report to the Ogbelani-in-Council.
He called for calm between the villages and others involved in land disputes in the community, assuring them that all cases would be amicably resolved.
Gbemudu II, according to statement, also announced the setting up of another committee headed by Prof. Emeka Aloamaka to review socio-economic issues in the community.
Earlier in his address, President-General of IDUN, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, said the Easter Conference was an annual forum where stakeholders rubbed minds on the progress of the community.
Ezemonye enumerated achievements of the union in the preceding to include a Skill Acquisition Scheme which received a boost from a House of Representatives member, representing the area, Mrs Onemaechi Mrakpor.
Others, he said, were award of scholarship to eight students of the community, provision of Marker Boards in the three secondary schools in the community, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy and empowerment of nine youths in small-scale business.
“We are also in consultation with the World Bank-Assisted SEEFOR Community Development Initiative for water projects in our community,’’ he added.
The president-general commended the traditional ruler, palace chiefs and other stakeholders for supporting the union for the development of the community.