By Ikpozu Andrew and Amuche Agbo
Following the lingering crisis that has been ravaging the people of Ezza and Effium community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi state, the two notable political office holders including the executive chairman of Ohaukwu Local government Area Barr. Clement Omekannaya Odah and the member representing Ohaukwu North Constituency in Ebonyi State House of Assembly Hon. Chinedu Awo among others, today 22nd march, 2021 Pledged to sheathe their sword and embrace peace in the area.
This was the outcome of the meeting involving government officials, security chiefs and stakeholders from Ezza and Effium community held at the executive council chamber, Old Government House, Abakaliki.
The two key political office holders Odah and Awo thanked the state Governor Engr. David Umahi for his prompt intervention in the crisis, tendered public apology to the state government for forgiveness over the looming crisis which has claimed a lot of lives and wanton destruction of property.
Odah who spoke on behalf of Effium people while Awo on behalf of Ezza extraction agreed to toe the part of peace in the community.
They assured that nobody from the both sides would raise hands, arms against each other, and vowed to ensure that absolute peace and tranquility is being maintained.
However, they regretted the damages recorded in the crisis and prayed God to restore peace among members assuring to do all within their reach to guarantee unity and peace of the people.
According to them:” No Ezza and Effium man henceforth will raise hands against each other, peace must come in this community, we must restore peace” they said
Reacting to the development, the state Governor Engr. David Umahi represented by his Deputy, Barr. Kelechi Igwe thanked God and the people of Ezza and Effium for agreeing to live in peace pact.
“Today is the milestone of Government effort to ensure normalcy is restored among the two brothers”
The Governor frowned on the level of destruction recorded in the crisis saying that Ebonyi state Government under his administration has distributed relieve materials to the internally displaced persons in their various camp to cushion the effect of the crisis while waiting for the people to return home so that they would hand over the remaining items to the stakeholders for onward distribution to the people.
He called on the stakeholders to live up to the Government expectation so as not to hear any further hostility in the area, advised the people both home and abroad to cooperated with stakeholders to ensure peace return fully in the community.
He noted that security agents would still be on guard twenty four hours to continue to monitor and mount surveillance at all times and appreciated Christian Association of Nigeria of the state chapter for their collaborated effort in championing for peace in the area.