
The Nkanu West Council Chairman, Hon. John Ogbodo, has sued for peace as he continues to find a lasting solution to the lingering land dispute between two sister communities of Ishi – Ozalla and Etiti-Ozalla, carved out from Ozalla Town in 2007 as two distinct autonomous communities.
Ogbodo, who was represented by his Deputy, Hon. Friday Nnam made the appeal when he visited the land in dispute, located along the Enugu- Port Harcourt express way by four corner junction to ascertain various claims by the communities.
The two autonomous communities had been laying claims of ownership of Four Corner junction, a commercial hub located in between the two communities.
While Ishi-Ozalla claims ownership of all lands across the express towards the Udi axis, Etiti – Ozalla maintains that they are the bonafide owners of the front areas of the parcel land across the express.

Recall that the local government Council representatives had in November, 2024 held a meeting with the two warring communities which resulted in setting up of a peace committee with each community having five representatives.
However, the major reason for the visit by the local government Council Chairman, was to ascertain the true owners of the land in dispute by visiting the area to verify the veracity of the claims by both parties.
Earlier while addressing the two communities, the Council Chairman appealed for understanding by the two sister communities advising them to continue to show maturity, love towards one another so as to achieve a peaceful resolution of the matter.
He warned both parties to eschew any act capable of undermining the existing peace being enjoyed in Ozalla, local government area and of the state in general.
Ogbodo described the state governor, Dr. Peter Mbah as a man of peace who has invested so much to ensure the security of life and property in the state as well as maintain peaceful co-existence amongst communities.
The Chief Security Officer of the local government assured both communities of his administration determination to resolve the matter as quickly as possible while being neutral.

The Council Chairman reminded them of the government’s earlier stance on the issue; that no party would collect any sort of revenue pending the determination of the matter. He warned that none of the communities have the right whatsoever to restrict the movement of commercial vehicles/ motorcycles or confines their operations in one particular community.
Ogbodo assured them of government speedy determination of the matter while appealing to them to exercise patience while waiting for government official white paper on the matter.
Earlier the President General, Ozalla Development Union (ODU) appealed to both communities to show tolerance, respect to one another knowing that they are blood brothers and are expected to approach the matter with love and truth.
Present at the meeting are, the secretary to the local government, Prince Onochie Igwesi, the Chief Security Officer of the local government, Hon. Chief Ozoemena Nwobodo Agbo, DPO Agbani, DPO Ozalla, representative of the Civil Defence, representative of the DSS, Town Union Presidents Of the two communities, elders of the two communities, land owners of the two communities, representative of the traditional rulers of the two communities, Chief Okwudili Chianeke and other notable stakeholders in the two communities.