Fresh tension has erupted in Ebonyi State as suspected warlords from the warring communities of Abaomege and Ishinkwo in Onicha Local Government Area set ablaze a government excavator that was being used to demarcate their disputed boundary.

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, has threatened the peace initiative implemented by Governor Francis Nwifuru's administration to resolve the long-standing land dispute between the two communities.

According to local officials, the attack came approximately one week after one of the warring communities had threatened to destroy equipment if the demarcation was not conducted according to their preferences.

During a media tour of the affected area on Thursday under heavy security presence, Ikechukwu Ogbofia, the Chairman of Onicha Local Government Area, condemned the incident as "unfortunate and a sabotage of government efforts" but maintained that peace must prevail in the region.

Speaking through the Local Government's Public Relations Officer, Omekannaya Orogwu, Ogbofia stated, "There is no amount of threat, there is no amount of sabotage that will stop the ongoing demarcation of the communities because to us as a government, that will bring permanent solutions to that age-old war."

Background of the Conflict

The two neighboring communities have been locked in a violent conflict over a vast fertile land for years. The dispute has resulted in numerous casualties and property damage estimated at billions of naira.

Upon taking office, Governor Nwifuru established a committee to address the crisis. The committee issued a white paper recommending the demarcation of community boundaries with roads and wide drainage channels among other measures to ensure lasting peace.

The demarcation process had been progressing smoothly since the beginning of the year until this recent setback.

Government Response

Despite the attack on government property, local authorities have vowed to continue with the demarcation exercise. Chairman Ogbofia emphasized that rather than weakening the peace initiative, the incident would strengthen the government's resolve to complete the demarcation.

"The government will take additional measures to ensure that the demarcation is completed," Ogbofia affirmed, underscoring the administration's commitment to finding a permanent solution to the conflict.

Security has reportedly been heightened in the area as authorities work to identify those responsible for destroying the government equipment and to prevent further escalation of tensions between the communities.