The Guardian learnt that both communities have been engaged in a scuffle over the ownership of the land, but the dispute snowballed into crisis at the weekend when Imiakabu youths allegedly blocked the Okpella-North Ibie road, thereby preventing motorists and passengers from plying the route.

Following the development, men and officers of the Nigeria Police were dispatched to the area to help maintain law and order, but the youths were said to have opened fire on the police injuring an officer, who was immediately rushed to the hospital.

On Saturday, a team of policemen was deployed to the area to arrest the culprits, but the youths again opened fire on the police, which prompted a response from the officers and in the process five persons were killed including a police officer, while several others sustained serious injuries.