Ebonyi communal clashes: Effium community requests for boundary demarcation

Effium community has demanded for boundary demarcation between them and the people of Ezza Effium community, in Ohaukwu Local government area of Ebonyi state, stating it will bring lasting solution to the lingering crisis in the area.

Stakeholders of Effium community made the request on Tuesday at Christian Ecumenical Center, Abakaliki, during a meeting with the state government and stakeholders of both communities.

But stakeholders of Ezza Effium community requested that they be allowed to live together with the people of Effium as they had lived before the misunderstanding that reared its ugly head.

Earlier, the Governor, David Nweze Umahi, pleaded with the warring communities to embrace peace, urging the stakeholders to do everything possible to ensure that there is no more reprisal attacks from any part of the community.

He said that government shall hold the stakeholders responsible if there is any further break down of law and order in Effium and Ezza Effium communities.

In order to bring an end to the crisis which has caused the death of over 25 persons and the destruction of so many houses, Ebonyi State Government, has been holding series of meetings with the stakeholders of both Effuim and Ezza Effium with a view to finding a permanent solution to the dispute which both sides identified as communal, perennial and non political.

Aside from the separate meetings of key stakeholders of the state with key stakeholders from the Effium/ Ezza Effium community, government on Tuesday, 23rd February,2021 held a combined meeting of both parties with representatives of the state government, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Founding Fathers, Elders’ Council and leaders of Ezza nation who were observers in the meeting which held at the State Ecumenical Centre Abakaliki.

In a release by the state commissioner for Information and State Orientation, he stated: “The two sides presented their positions on the immediate and remote causes of the crisis and their recommendations for immediate interventions and lasting peace.

”The Governor directed them to go into a closed door meeting by themselves with a view to having a common ground in their recommendations and which they did with the supervision of representatives of Christian Association of Nigeria.

“…The warring communities however renewed their commitment towards stopping all forms of reprisal attacks forthwith, and were bonded to keep the peace pending the final resolution of the matter.

”His Excellency, the Governor in his wisdom gave them a period of two weeks to consult with their people, including, the youths and women, both those within and outside the state so they can have a common ground that will enable the state government take a decision that will bring lasting peace and stronger harmony among the people of Effium and Ezza Effium.

“The Governor further set up a committee made up of one representative from Effium and one from Ezza Effium with two CAN representatives to supervise their consultation processes, namely, Bishop Matthew Nkwoegu as Chairman and Rev Dr. Scamb Nwokolo as Secretary. The Committee is to bring its report within 14 days”. Ends

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