–As Death Toll Rise to 116
By Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki
A non Governmental Organisation, Izzi Crisis Management Committee on Monday 5th July,2021 donated money, food items and bags of clothes to the survivors of herdsmen attack of Izhi people living in boundary between Ebonyi and Benue States.
The committee which was set up by Izhi stakeholders under the Chairman of Ebonyi Local Government Area,Hon. (Mrs) Chinyere Nwogbaga told Journalists during the distribution of the relief materials to the people of Izzi that the items are contributions from concern Izhi people across the three council areas and well wishers who felt empathy for the injurious attack.
According to the Chairman,those who benefitted from the relief material and cash gift were the four affected villages of the Izhi speaking people living within the boundary between Ebonyi and Ado Local Government Area of Ebonyi and Benue state which includes, Ndiobashi, Ekpufu, Odoke and Obakotaru villages.
The council Chairman hinted that the evil attack melted against the people claimed many lives and properties worth millions of naira.
“Over 116 persons were confirmed killed, thousands were critically injured on that 30th may, 2021 in Ndiobashi, Ekpufu, Odoke and Obakota all in the boundary between Ebonyi and Benue States“.
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of the Committee, Reverend Father Vincent Odom said the distribution of the relief materials was a way of providing succour to victims.
“Over 11 million naira have been distributed to the glory of God and to the benefits of mankind”. Odom said.
The Secretary of the committee, Dr Friday Nkwede said the committee was set up to cushion the negative effects created by the killings in the area.
Lending his voice,a member of the committee, Reverend Father James Nwofoke advised the victims to move on with their lives irrespective of the challenges.
The priest prayed to God to console those whose love ones were killed by the herdsmen.
Speaking the chairman Oha-Izhi Nnodo,and traditional ruler Nkaleke Echara autonomous Community, His Royal Highness Eze Sunday Nkwegu Oketa appreciated the state governor for his support to the people, adding that the success achieved so far was as a result of collective contribution of individuals, indigenous medical personnel,priests and other organizational leaders.
The traditional ruler lauded speaker Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru and Council Chairman Ebonyi LGA Hon Chinyere Nwogbaga for their unrelenting spirit in ensuring that the affected persons received adequate medical attention and prayed God to continue to uplift them to greater heights.
On his part, the spokesman of the committee, Apostle Benjamin Nwobeji encouraged the victims to make good use of the money and all the items given to them.
Corroborating the speech, member of the committee, professor Adeze Nwuzor thanked the committee for their sincere service to the people.
In an interview, some of the beneficiaries including Mrs Mbam Oshopo and Paul Nkwuda Uguru on behalf of others thanked the committee for coming to their assistance and prayed God for his divine protection upon the lives of their benefactors.