The lingering crisis between the people of Ezza Effium and Effium community of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Wednesday took another turn for the worse, following reports of killing of innocent children, old men and women in the troubled zone.
Gory pictures of the victims of the attack have already gone viral on social media as the present administration led by Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru had put in place modalities that would end the crisis once and for all.
Recall that efforts by previous administrations to quell the crisis had over the years hit the brick wall as there are still reported cases of ongoing killings on both sides of the divide.
Unconfirmed reports from the affected community stated that the activities of aggressors allegedly from the Uffiom led to the murder of some children, old men and women on Wednesday.
A member of the affected Community who did not want his name in print said: “While His Excellency Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is doing everything to bring peace to Effium community, the aggressors from Uffiom have been busy thwarting every peace effort of the government.
“Just yesterday, they attacked Inikiri Umuezeoka where they massacred children, old men and women and burnt down every structure within their reach including Amurt.
“This is unbecoming and Ebonyi State government should arrest their leaders.
The government can’t be making peace effort and these monsters will be somewhere discrediting the good efforts of the government.
“It’s now obvious that Uffiom never wanted peace.”
In a telephone interview with Vanguard, the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Engr. Jude Okpor who didn’t want to comment on the security situation in Effium, enumerated the present administration’s efforts towards ensuring that peace returns to the troubled area.
He said: “The implementation Committee has been inaugurated. The Peace Committee has been inaugurated and they have started work in ernest.
“All the Line Ministries are working with the Committees to ensure that peace returns there in Effium. In a few days time, the Gazzetta copy of the White paper will be out. Before ending of next week, it’s going to be out.
“The Chairman of the implementation Committee is the honorable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice. The Peace Committee is headed by the former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Amb. Franklin Ogbuewu.
“And both the Chairman of the Implementation Committee and the Line Ministries are all members of the Peace Committee. They go to that place every now and then. And I am aware that very soon, they will reachout to the Communities affected and communicate the position of government to them.”
Among the distinguished members of the Committee are Dr. Ben Uruchi Odo, Hon. Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice; Barr. Albert Alo, Solicitor General; Engr. Stanley Lebechi Mbam, Commissioner for Works; Dr. Matthew Nwobasi, Commissioner for Lands and Survey; Engr. Francis Ori, Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development; Mr. John Igbede, Surveyor General; Dr. Scamb Nwokolo, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ebonyi State Chapter; Rev. Fr. Samuel Okorie; and Rev. Fr. Cornelius Chukwu. Ends
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