Four persons have been killed in a renewed boundary dispute involving two communities in Ivo LGA, Ebonyi.

The land dispute is between the Ogwor and Umuobor villages, who have been fighting over a land called ‘Elueke’ in the area.

The Ebonyi government had earlier in January declared the disputed land a “buffer zone” and ordered both villages to steer clear of the disputed property.

Chinasa Okorie, the coordinator of Akaeze Development Centre, confirmed the incident to journalists on Thursday in Abakaliki, describing the killing as “wicked.”

“Among the four persons killed, three were said to be part of a contingent that entered the disputed land to harvest yams on Wednesday while a woman was killed on Monday,” he said.

Mr Okorie pleaded with the communities to remain peaceful and avoid any act capable of escalating the dispute.

“The government has declared it a buffer zone, so nobody is allowed to enter the land,” he added.

The police spokesman in Ebonyi, Joshua Ukandu, however, said the command was only aware of the killing of a woman on February 17.

“We know about the incident involving the killing of a woman on February 17.

“That is the one we have the information. The command is investigating the matter.

“Officers and men have been deployed to the area,” Mr Ukandu said.

(NAN)