The Abia State Government has waded into the invasion of the Ugwueke Autonomous Community in Bende Local Government Area of the state by militiamen from Ebonyi State.
In fact, the state Deputy Governor, Oko Ude has opted to link up with his Ebonyi State counterpart with a view to prevailing on the militiamen from Akaeze Community who have annexed part of the Ugwueke Community.
This is the fallout of the security meeting held on Wednesday, May 24 at Bende, the headquarters of Bende Local Government Area at the instance of the council Chairman, Ukwu Rocks Emma.
Our correspondent gathered that three Divisional Police Officers and DSS chiefs attended the security meeting.
Assault rifle-and-cutlass-wielding militants from Akaeze Community on May 22 swooped on farmlands belonging to Ugwueke Community, drove away the natives and began clearing and applying herbicides on the farmlands.
All entreaties by the natives to stop the forceful takeover of their farmlands fell on the deaf ears of the invaders who gleefully swaggered that Ugwueke Community is now part of Ebonyi State.
The invaders also spurned the peace talk scheduled for Tuesday, May 23 even as they continued to clear the farmlands.
At the security meeting held at Bende, the Department of State Service and personnel of the police were placed on red alert to ensure no skirmishes arise in the Ugwueke Community.
The meeting also noted that the people of Akaeze Community were the aggressors having trespassed into the territory of Ugwueke Community and should retrace their steps in the interest of peaceful co-existence.
Recall that boundary dispute between both communities started in the 1980s. In the first clash between the communities in 1986, several lives were lost on both sides.
Observers advise that proper boundary adjustment be made to stop the frequent invasion by Akaeze expansionists.
