The battle over the ownership of the land on which the Onne seaport in Rivers State is built, has taken a more dangerous turn, as Okirika and Eleme youths, both claiming ownership of the expansive land clashed last week, leaving many dead and several others declared missing.
The incident which lasted for several hours last Monday, before military and police personnel were drafted in to quell the battle, however caused panic among operators and residents of the ancient port town; Onne.
The battle over the ownership of the land on which the Onne seaport in Rivers State is built, has taken a more dangerous turn, as Okirika and Eleme youths, both claiming ownership of the expansive land clashed last week, leaving many dead and several others declared missing.
The incident which lasted for several hours last Monday, before military and police personnel were drafted in to quell the battle, however caused panic among operators and residents of the ancient port town; Onne.
The major victims were the multi-million Dollar business at the port, namely: Intels, West African Container Terminals (WACT), Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone, and many others, they all closed shops immediately.
Some clearing agents at Onne told our correspondent that Intels, and several other blue chip companies at Onne Port had lost several Billions of naira as a result of closing down operations at the port for that day.
Our correspondent gathered that some of the angry youths who were said to be from Okirika carried placards which read: “Okirika youths have no jobs”, “The place Onne Port location occupy belongs to Okirika”.
Some of the angry youths according to an eye witness said that the water channel from where cargo get to Onne Port also belong to Okirika people, and does not see why youths form Okrika are neglected .
We gathered that shortly after the guns battle ensued, Intels management hurriedly asked all their security apparatus to close all access gates to the public.
However, an Onne resident who operates a commercial motocycle; Mr John Alali said that soon after, Eleme youths mobilized and confronted their Okirika youth aggressors. The fracas, we learnt led to heavy casualty on the part of Eleme and Okirika youths.
Exact details of casualty figures were sketchy as at press time, but sources said at least 10 persons were shot dead in the incident.
Among those that sustained gunshot wounds allegedly from Eleme are: Gabriel Goya, Andrew Elizza and Ben Nkei.
President of Eleme Youth Council, Comrade Isaac Obe in a media chat in Port Harcourt said casualty figure would have been higher if not for the maturity that Eleme youths displayed in handling the aggression.
Obe said casualty figure was reduced because Eleme youths controlled their anger and provocation. “We moved to the area from where we dislodged the Okirika aggressors. Onne youths also conducted themselves in a manner that deserves commendation”, he told journalists.
Even though he failed to comment on the reason for the fracas, our correspondent learnt that the trouble is linked to the berth expansion that is currently being undertaken by Intels. With the expansion, ships will have to navigate through Okrika water channels to access the Intels berth. For this, Okrika youths want to be accorded the status of hoist community, which had been an exclusive preserve of Elem youths.
Meanwhile, some residents and indigenes of Onne and Ogu, and Okirika community have accused Intels management of culpability over the clash between Eleme and Eleme youths.
They alleged that Intels is playing divide and rule game with the indigenes of the two neighbouring communities and refusing to accord both of them equal right in relation to consideration of employment opportunities and other rights.
When contacted, the media manager of Intels; Mr DH Kalio explained that “none of them can ever mention our name, we are a good member of the host community, they know where to direct their protest”.
He however disclosed that the protest may not be unconnected to the expansion work that is going on at Federal Ocean Terminal, which he said Okrika youths claim is pass through their domain.
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