Umahi warns Ebonyi neighbouring communities
NAN-H-7
Warning
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Azuoffia-Edda (Ebonyi), Feb. 8, 2017 (NAN) Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has warned communities from its neighbouring states that the government will no longer tolerate the wanton killing of its citizens.
Umahi gave the warning on Wednesday at Azuoffia-Edda community of Abakaliki Local Government Area engaged in a communal conflict with neighbouring Obubra community of Cross River.
The state government confirmed the killing of three indigenes of the community, several wounded and property worth millions of naira destroyed in the conflict.
According to Umahi, the killings are shocking, disheartening, barbaric and the highest case of man’s inhumanity to man.
“Let me, therefore, warn that enough is enough as we have this kind of carnage in Izzi, Ikwo and other parts of the state sharing borders with communities from neigbouring states.
“The people of Izzi clan, (where Abakaliki LGA is situated) who belong to a very large clan are capable of defending themselves just as Ebonyi people are capable of defending themselves.
“The message must therefore be relayed to our neighbours that under my watch as a governor, no Ebonyi man will be slaughtered again,” he said.
The governor lamented that Ebonyi people had been accommodating to their Obubra neighbours and did not deserve the sort of unprovoked attack they got in return.
“These same people pass through our lands to conduct their businesses and I commend our people for not retaliating and heeding to my directives towards that regard.
“Vengeance belongs to God and I am sure that this act was not executed by one community but was calculated and planned by communities to unleash evil on our people.
“The root of the crisis is funny because security agencies and religious leaders who are from other states know that we don’t conduct burials in Ebonyi with human heads.
“Jobless people can drink ‘Ogogoro’ and ignite this kind of crisis which can cause war between both states and blame it on others,” he said.
He commended Acting President Yemi Osibanjo for immediately deploying security operatives to the area and the security agencies for their quick responses to the crisis.
“The State Executive Council will meet with all elected and appointed political office holders from the council, to decide on ways of further assisting the victims and supporting the security agencies to effectively provide security in the area,” he said.
The National Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Person, Sadia Farouk distributed relief materials worth millions of naira to hundred of persons displaced by the conflict.
Farouk represented by Mrs Maria Ngaji said that the Federal Government was fully committed to finding a lasting solution to the plight of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria.
“We will always recognise the humanitarian mandates of the commission and bear in mind the critical condition of the IDP’s in the state.
“It has become imperative to intensify efforts to provide protection, assistance and durable solutions to the vulnerable group of people with emphasis on women, and innocent children”.
The Caretaker Chairman of the council, Mr Peter Nwaogbaga, said the crisis began after the people of Obubra accused the people of Azuofia Edda of killing and beheading one Eshaya, a commercial motorcyclist.
He said the victim was accosted by unknown gunmen on Jan.10 near the village, who killed him while the woman she was carrying was not harmed.
“We initiated peace talks between both communities but the Obubra invaders struck by 4.am on Jan.13, killing, maiming and burning of houses,”
“The marauders beheaded three men, kidnapped another three as the victims of this sceptre of man’s inhumanity to man, are currently taking refuge at Nwida Primary school,” he said.
Mr Titus Lamorde, Ebonyi Commissioner for Police, commiserated with the victims, and noted that his officers would be stationed in the community till normalcy was restored.
“I speak on behalf of all security chiefs gathered here and we assure you that this sort of calamity will not be allowed to occur again,” he said.
NAN reports that items delivered to the IDPs’ at the occasion, include mattresses, clothing, cooking utensils, foodstuff and toiletries. (NAN)
RCO/AAB/OFN
Edited By Adeboye Ajayi//Felix Nwadioha