The Ngwogwo Community in Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, has petitioned Governor Francis Nwifuru over an alleged attack on its women by persons from Mpu Community in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, following a protracted land dispute between the neighbouring communities.
In a seven-page petition dated June 17, 2026, and signed by Roy O.U. Nwaeze, SAN, on behalf of the Ngwogwo Community Development Union, the community alleged that the incident occurred on June 12 when several women were attacked while working on farms located on the disputed land.
According to the petition, six women sustained injuries during the incident, with two of the victims reportedly hospitalised due to the severity of their injuries.
"According to our clients, six women were physically assaulted during the attack. Two of the victims sustained serious degrees of bodily injuries requiring hospitalisation while the remaining victims suffered varying injuries," the petition stated.
The community further alleged that food items, farming implements and other personal belongings belonging to the victims were taken away during the incident.
Describing the attack as "entirely unprovoked," Ngwogwo alleged that the incident was part of a recurring pattern of intimidation, harassment and interference with its occupation and use of the disputed land by people of Mpu Community.
Despite the alleged provocations, the community said it had consistently discouraged its members from engaging in reprisals or acts of self-help, opting instead to seek lawful intervention from the government and relevant authorities.
The petition warned that the dispute had assumed "serious security, public order and inter-state dimensions" capable of threatening peaceful relations between citizens of Ebonyi and Enugu states if not urgently addressed.
Providing historical context to its claims, the community said the relationship between Ngwogwo and Mpu dates back several generations, alleging that the ancestors of present-day Mpu were originally settled on land granted to them by Ngwogwo ancestors under a peace arrangement symbolised by the historic Ogbu Tree.
According to the petition, the ancestral boundaries between the two communities were marked by Otimkpu Stream in Amachara Hamlet and Okpara River in Amaedim Hamlet, both located in Ngwogwo.
The community maintained that these natural features had continued to serve as the recognised boundary even after the creation of states and local government areas.
Ngwogwo also claimed to be the custodian of traditional sacrificial rites and oath-taking ceremonies associated with the covenant of brotherhood between the two communities.
To support its claims of ownership and occupation, the community cited the case of a farmer identified as Mr. Ude, popularly known as "Ude Nwa Oduma," who it said had occupied part of the disputed land for about 50 years while paying customary ground rent to the Chukwu Chi Ukpai Nnechi family of Amachara.
The community said it possesses documentary evidence, including records of land transactions and receipts for customary ground rents.
As part of its demands, Ngwogwo urged Governor Nwifuru to direct the Ebonyi State Boundary Committee to investigate the dispute and liaise with the Enugu State Government to establish a joint inter-state boundary verification and fact-finding committee.
It also called for the compilation of historical records and an on-the-spot assessment of the disputed area.
The community further requested the governor to direct the Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Services and other security agencies to investigate the June 12 incident, convene an emergency stakeholders' meeting and provide immediate security for farmers pending the resolution of the dispute.
It also called for a permanent and legally recognised demarcation of the boundary between the two communities.
"We remain firmly committed to peace, lawful dispute resolution and harmonious coexistence," the petition stated.
The community noted that it had previously appealed to the Office of the Deputy Governor on June 15, 2025, over the matter but alleged that the dispute remained unresolved.
It warned that failure to urgently address the situation could escalate the conflict and threaten peace, security, economic activities and inter-state relations between Ebonyi and Enugu states.
Efforts to obtain a response from leaders of Mpu Community were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
