Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Heavy gunfire rocked the Refinery Junction in Rivers State on Thursday night as the long-standing boundary dispute between Okrika and Eleme Local Government Areas escalated into open confrontation, sending residents fleeing from the area amid fears of further violence.
The latest crisis, which erupted on the evening of July 2, 2026, is believed to be connected to a lingering land dispute between the two neighbouring communities, a conflict that has simmered for decades and has periodically erupted into deadly clashes. Heavy gunshots were reported along the troubled axis, with the situation remaining tense as of the time of filing this report.
As of Thursday night, the police had yet to confirm whether there were any casualties from the violence. However, the intensity of the gunfire and the subsequent flight of residents from the area have raised serious concerns about the potential for further bloodshed. The operatives of the Inspector General of Police's Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (IGP-STFPIB) have been reportedly deployed to the area, though their effectiveness in quelling the violence remains to be seen.
In a swift response to the escalating crisis, the Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Obarilomate Ollor, issued an executive order suspending all real estate activities within the council area with immediate effect. The chairman said the decision followed the alleged influx of land grabbers targeting properties along the Woji-Aleto-Alesa link road and the Agbonchia-Akpajo axis of the Port Harcourt Ring Road.
Ollor warned that legal action would be taken against any property developer or individual who fails to comply with the directive. He further stated that the disputed areas were duly gazetted following a landmark Supreme Court judgment delivered in 1957, insisting that the Eleme local government had never allocated the affected parcels of land to any private individual, group or company. According to him, the council has also petitioned relevant authorities through the member representing Eleme Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Aforji Igwe, to ensure a proper investigation into the matter.
The conflict between Okrika and Eleme is rooted in a long and violent history. The disputed land near the Port Harcourt Refining Company has been a flashpoint for decades, with communities from both local government areas claiming ownership. In the past, clashes have left many dead and several others injured, with the violence often spilling over into the surrounding areas.
The latest eruption of violence comes just weeks after the chairmen of Okrika and Eleme Local Government Areas, Akuro Tobin and Obarilomate Ollor, had stepped in to calm tensions following a peaceful protest by youths from communities hosting the Port Harcourt Refining Company. However, the underlying issues of land ownership and boundary demarcation have remained unresolved, providing fertile ground for renewed hostilities.
As the gunfire echoed across the Refinery Junction, residents of the affected communities were reportedly fleeing the area, seeking safety in neighbouring towns and villages. The fear of further violence has gripped the region, with many expressing concern that the conflict could escalate into a full-blown communal crisis.
The Rivers State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the incident, and it remains unclear what measures are being taken to restore peace and order in the area. However, the deployment of the IGP-STFPIB and the swift action of the Eleme Local Government Chairman suggest that authorities are aware of the gravity of the situation.
For the people of Okrika and Eleme, the latest violence is a stark reminder of the fragility of peace in the region and the urgent need for a lasting solution to the land dispute that has cost so many lives and livelihoods.
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