Governors Idris Wada of Kogi and Peter Obi of Anambra have called on the people of Odeke and Aguleri-Otu to exercise restraint, as their dispute over some oil wells would be resolved by the National Boundary Commission.
The two governors who addressed a joint news conference in Abuja, called on the communities to ensure good ghbourliness.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on April 3, the two communities clashed over the oil wells being harnessed by Orient Petroleum Company on the boundary coastal community of Aguleri.
Wada, while briefing newsmen on Thursday, said the people must exercise restraint as the issues in contention over the border dispute were been resolved by the NBC.
``The proper demarcation of the boundary is on the directives of President Goodluck Jonathan.``That both governors will ensure a peaceful and equitable resolution of the dispute that will benefit the people and further good neighborliness.
``Both governors also call on those trying to cause disaffection between the two brotherly states, with a long affinity to desist from such attempts.
``What Nigeria needs now is peace which will attract development,’’ Wada said.
He described as ``false’’ recent media reports excluding NAN, stating that 400 houses were burnt in the clash.
According to him, only five houses were torched, adding that the fracas were ``completely exaggerated’’.
``For emphasis, neither Kogi nor Anambra States reported any loss of life, contrary to media reports that 57 lives were lost.
``In fact in addition to the five house that were burnt, another four motorcycles were destroyed during the fracas.
``We are taking inventory of the losses from both sides and we want to assure the people that compensation will be paid,'' he said.
Also answering questions from newsmen, Obi explained that the Aguleri-Otu people in Anambra East were peaceful people, saying that the presence of adequate armed policemen would help boost the peace.
``We are prepared to wait for the outcome of the demarcation of the place,’’ he said.
On the allegation that the fight might have been responsible for the evacuation of the site by the Oriental Oil, Obi said ``it was flood that rather made production impossible for now and not the clash''.
He explained that the company was due to return to the site to commence production as soon as possible.
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