Renewed Clash Over Land Leaves Eight Dead in Edo State as Amagba, Oke Oroma Youths Battle for Territory

Our reporter

A renewed wave of violence has erupted between the communities of Amagba in Oredo Local Government Area and Oke Oroma in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, leaving at least eight people dead in an escalating dispute over land ownership.

 

According to sources who preferred to remain anonymous, hostilities resumed on October 31, 2024, when a violent assault allegedly carried out by youths from one community resulted in the tragic loss of two lives. Retaliatory attacks followed swiftly, leading to the deaths of six more individuals in the latest cycle of violence.

 

The crux of the conflict is the ownership of a contested land parcel in Oke Oroma, known locally as Age Emokpae. The Amagba community insists that historical rulings and natural boundaries support their claim to the land, a stance fiercely opposed by the people of Oke Oroma.

 

The recent clashes have also resulted in the destruction of property, with several houses, including an ancestral shrine (Oguedion) belonging to one of the communities, being set ablaze, alongside numerous vehicles.

 

Efforts to confirm the extent of the violence with the Edo State Police Command yielded little clarity. Mr. Moses Joel Yamu, the state police spokesperson, stated that he was not yet informed about the latest violent encounters between the communities.

 

This on-going land dispute has claimed numerous lives over the years, sparking concern among residents and calls for intervention to prevent further bloodshed.