Ebonyi-Cross River clashes: Abakaliki LG Chair, others sue for peace



By James Nwakpa

Following the recent crisis that erupted at the border areas of Iboma Amachi in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and the people of Eja in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State, the Executive Chairman, Abakaliki Local Government Council, Hon. Emmanuel Nwangele, has pleaded the two warring communities to sheath their sword in the interest of peace and mutual relationship which have existed among the two sister communities for many years now.


Featuring in a meeting which had in attendance with the Cross River/Ebonyi Youth Peace  Development Movement and the stakeholders of Abakaliki LGA at the Local Government  Council Headquarters Nkaliki, the Council Chairman who described Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Nweze Umahi as a lover of peace, enjoined those engaged in the warfare not to allow the unguided elements who do not  mean well for the society to truncate the long existed trust, confidence and peaceful coexistence among the people of the two communities.


Hon. Nwangele, however advised the people from  the troubling communities especially those who recorded not loss of lives and properties destroyed,  to not go into revenge as God knows how to  make replacement, stressing that the Ebonyi state government was already at the forefront of handling the matter and expressed hope that peace would be returned to those conflicting areas within a short period of time while urging the people never to relent in their prayers as it remained the strongest weapon in achieving peace.


In an interview, the President Cross River/Ebonyi Youth Peace  Development Movement, Barr. Pascal Nwenyi, frowned at the attitudes of some miscreants whom he said their selfish interest engaged on wanton destructions of lives and properties, and described the belligerence as uncalled for, adding that the people of Amachi community had hitherto lived in  peace  with the people of Eja and other Cross Riverians, stressing that the peace movement in collaboration with the governments would do everything possible to restore a lasting peace to those conflicting areas.


In a similar development, the Coordinator Amachi Development Centre, Hon. Obinna Nwiboko, equally expressed worry over the ugly incident and called on the Federal government to intervene on the matter especially in the area of border demarcation so as to quell the acrimonious crisis and as well prevent future outburst of such dagger drawn expedition.


Hon. Nwiboko posited that Izzi people in Ebonyi state are known for peace who do not  pay evil with evil, and as such encouraged the people of Amachi community to remain law abiding as government was already on top of the situation.


Also speaking, the member representing Abakaliki South Constituency in Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Joseph Ununu, enjoined the two conflicting communities to seize fire completely and embrace peace, stressing that as a law maker, he would not stop at anything possible to ensure peace and stability in the troubled areas.


Others who spoke to the press shortly after the security meeting including the permanent Secretary Ebonyi State Ministry of Health Dr. Chris Achi and the SA to Governor Umahi on Industrial Cluster, Hon. Peter Nwogbaga, expressed gratitude to the State Governor on his unflinching commitment in instituting peace in all parts of the state and also thanked the military and other security agents in the state whom they said their presence had helped in curtailing restiveness in the battling areas, and advised the youths to allow the elders to employ diplomacy in resolving the crisis.

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