By Ovat Abeng
Elders from Obinagu Achalla of Enugwu-Agidi community in Njikoka local government area, Anambra state, have commenced peace process to end 70-years old communal land dispute with their neighbouring Ezinano village-Awka, in Awka South local government area of the State.
The elders said they were tired of holding grudges with the people of Ezinano over the land in contention.
It was gathered that the disputed land ‘Agu Nawgu’ where about 14 journalists narrowly escaped death a year ago, when police operatives deployed to the area reportedly fired gunshots at Awka indigenes who were protesting the occupation of their land by the operatives, has been in Court since 1954.
Briefing journalists on the peace initiative at Enugukwu-Agidi community, on Friday, the elders, Senior Apostle Wilson Okeofor, 98 years, Elder Cyprian Odogwu, 89 years and Ozo Ozoemena Obiora Okeke, 72 years, unanimously agreed to apply all possible means within their wisdom to end the crisis that have led to economic stagnation and destruction of properties worth million of naira in the area.
According to them, “we have no much to narrate about the disputed land that have been in Court since 1954, all we want now is nothing but peace. “We want peace with our brothers from Ezinano village-Awka, particularly, our dear brother, Ozo Jeff Nweke, who has been helping our people in different capacity.
“We want to make peace with our neighbouring brothers and sisters for the sake of our children and the unborn generation before we join our ancestors. We are tired of living in fear and sleeping with our two eyes open on daily basis. We are currently in peace talk with some angry groups in our community. We are looking forward to a day where the both worried villages will meet via peace conference to peacefullly finalize the differences.
“We are equally appealing to the State Government, led by governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to also intervene appropriately for the sake of oneness, peace and unity in the state,” the elders concluded.