*By David Uka, Abakaliki.*
At least five persons have been killed while scores sustained varying degrees of injuries in a renewed inter-state boundary clash between the people of Igala in Benue state and Ngbo in Ohankwu local government area of Ebonyi state.
The two neighbouring community have been at war for decades over boundary issues with many lives lost and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that the crisis broke out on Monday when the people of Igala invaded the two villages in Ngbo and killed five persons.
The source also said that several farm produce were destroyed and scores of people injured.
He said, “both communities have been locked in a protracted dispute over a large parcel of farmland and the crisis had lingered for a very long time.
“Unfortunately the situation seemed to have gotten out of hand again on monday .morning when youths from our neighbouring community, Agali attacked us during the hours of day.
“As l speak to you now the picture of people killed were still very unclear to us but we have recovered 5 dead bodies killed while they were in the farms cultivating their produce”, he said.
Meanwhile Governor David Umahi has expressed shock over the killing of five Ngbo indigenes in Ohaukwu Local government by their Agila neighbours of Benue state.
The Governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor Dr Kelechi Igwe made his feelings known when he visited families of the affected persons at Ekwashi and Ukwagba communities.
The Governor expressed dismay over what he called flagrant disregard to agreement by the Agila people.
He observed that Ebonyi people had suffered incessant attacks from their neighbors in the recent times and appealed to the federal
government to intervene before the people would resort to self defence.
He appealed to the people to remain calm and law abiding, assuring that government would ensure permanent resolution of the crisis.
The chairman of Ohaukwu local government Council Barr Clement Odaah told the governor that Benue people invaded the people of Ngbo despite peace agreement signed with Ado local government council few weeks ago.
He lamented that the incessant attack and called on Benue state government to call Agila people to order.
The governor was accompanied by security chief including CP Musa Kimo and representative of the Cantonment Commander, Major S Milla.
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