THE COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY EBONYI STATE CHAPTER OF THE CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA, AFTER THE MEETING BETWEEN IKWO AND IZZI CLANS ON MONDAY, JUNE 7, 2021.
1. CAN pays gratitude to God for His continual mercy till now, His love and protection.
2. We have also deep respect and gratitude to His Excellency, Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi - Governor of Ebonyi State, for his proactiveness and confidence in CAN and listening ear to God.
3 Our indebtedness also go to our host, Most Rev. Dr. Michael Nnachi Okoro - the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, both for his presence, his fatherliness and his love.
4. To all our bishops, CAN leaders, CAN heads of blocks, the EXCO Members and others, for their goodness and commitment to peace.
5. We are also grateful to all the representatives of the two clans - Izzi and Ikwo.
6. At the end of the session, both the Izzi clan and the Ikwo, all confirmed that there is no war between Izzi and Ikwo.
7. Unfortunately, the conflict they had between Enyigba and Enyibichiri, that was long resolved with the Executive Order of His Excellency, about boundary, rose its ugly head in the recent development.
8. The recent development in few days led to the burning of some houses, at the part of Enyigba and the part of Enyibichiri.
9. But on a special note and heart breaking, is the abduction of children from Izzi which CAN says is highly condemnable.
10. CAN therefore, is joining her words to the press release of His Excellency, where he gave Ikwo people (Enyibichiri), one week (7 days) to make sure that these children are returned.
11. It is on that note that CAN is also making a special appeal to Enyibichiri and Ikwo people that long before the expiration of 7 days, to let CAN know the whereabouts of these children concretely and verifiably, alive or dead, that we may intervene in giving the State Government the report.
12. CAN, in conjunction with Ebonyi State Government, is also asking all the citizens of Ebonyi State, and residents of Ebonyi State, to please go about their normal businesses and all who have left the State in fear should all come back to Ebonyi State capital.
13. We join Ebonyi State Government to emphasize that any one found breaking stores, shops or houses, intimidating or threatening the residents, visitors, in Abakaliki urban - the capital of the State is taking laws into his or her hands and whenever apprehended, will follow the due process of the law.
14. We therefore, ask all, especially our brothers from Enyibichiri and Enyigba to shield their swords and all should work together to see that peace returns permanently.
15. CAN will continue its interfacing and intervention in meeting with selected numbers of people - representatives from Enyigba and Enyibichiri on Friday, to continue the process of peace.
16. We thank God that the division of the land between Enyigba and Enyibichiri, after the Executive Order of His Excellency, and official acquisition of the land is a matter of the past.
17. We all request all, to be law abiding.
18. In the course of the peace process, the Ikwo people made an observation, that most of their fears and worries are their brothers Ikwo, Enyibichiri Azuoffia, living in Cross River, who always step in to commit crimes that are too heavy as this, and they will be found wanting.
19. We jointly ask them that if they found that they were the ones responsible for these acts, they should hold them responsible and bring them to us with the children or they will be held responsible because they’re passing through their territory, using their name and also sharing the same name and genealogy to commit crimes.
20. CAN wishes all, peace, love and ask that we all join in prayers that God will grant Ebonyi State, especially at this period of trial, peace, love and justice; and the entire nation, the peace and security of lives and properties. God bless you all and in Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Abraham Nwali
CAN Chairman Ebonyi State Chapter &
SSA to the Governor on Religious and Welfare Matters.
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