After several failed attempt by past and present governments of Delta State, to end the warpath, killings and destruction in Aladja in Udu and Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri south west local government areas of the state, concerned youths took the bull by the horns and restored lasting peace to the warring communities.
Findings revealed that on 10th July 2020, some people of Ogbe-Ijoh, took the bold step and trooped into Aladja without fear of being killed while those of Aladja, as if it was a coordinated plan did same into Ogbe-Ijoh, all to end the war which has lingered on for years.
The fight over the ownership of a vast but disputed portion of land between both communities started on 24th March, 2016.
The five years of crisis, led to the death of many lives and prosperities worth hundred of millions, were lost to the war.
The lingered crisis led to the birth of Aladja/Ogbe-Ijoh Peace Vanguard, after a series of consultations among youths from both communities and on 10th July,2020 peace returned to the troubled areas.
It was learnt that since the 10th July, 2020 the leadership of the Aladja/Ogbe-Ijoh Peace Vanguard has been doing all it could to pay the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, a courtesy visit to brief him on the gains of the Vanguard and to lay out plans to sustain the peace to him but was allegedly blocked by the past Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Chiedu Ebie.
Comrade Bezi Ejovwo Ighotegwolor, from Aladja, reiterated the need for the group to visit the governor as they celebrate the 1st anniversary of the return of peace to both communities and outline roadmaps for a sustainable and lasting peace.
Meanwhile, both communities embarked on a peace walk from Aladja to Ogbe-Ijoh as they chanted peace songs and have gone for a Thanksgiving Service today Sunday 11th July 2021, for 9:00am to give special thanks to God for the sustanace of this peace between these two communities for the past one year at God’s Delight Gospel Assembly, aka FREE INDEED, No 14 Peter Doro Street, opp DSC Permanent Camp, After army Checking point, Igbogidi.
