2 Beheaded, 4 Injured in Renewed Anambra/Kogi oil Wells Crisis

TWO persons were beheaded at Eziagulu Otu, near the embattled Orient Petroleum Resources Ltd in Anambra East Local Government Area yesterday by armed men suspected to be from Ibaji in Kogi State, who allegedly attacked the people in their farms.Four others, who sustained injuries have been admitted at a private hospital in Onitsha.
The attack came barely 24 hours after members of Board of Directors of Orient Petroleum informed Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, during a visit, that the company had acquired two new wells in Aguleri and would increase its crude oil production to 3,000 barrels per day in September.
Vanguard gathered that the attackers, who were armed to the teeth, took the farmers unawares and as many of them ran into the river, the attackers caught six of them, killing two and injuring four.
As the news of the attack reached the people of Aguleri in the upland, all those whose relations went to farm became worried. Shortly after, the victims were brought him.
At press time, it could not be ascertained if some people in the area were still missing.
SOS
One of the distress messages sent to Vanguard during the attack read: “Information reaching our town indicates that Kogi people are attacking Eziagulu Otu and Enugu Otu in several groups and are about to overrun the area and the oil field facilities there.”
Another message from the President General of Aguleri read: “Eziagulu Otu is currently under siege by our Kogi neighbours.
“I am informed that serious fighting is going on and casualties have been recorded. We are at a disadvantage under their superior fire power. The situation is bad.”
Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hosea Karma, confirmed the incident, saying his men and the Kogi State Police Command had stepped in to stop further clash.