By Ndubuisi Nwogha, Abakaliki
Survivors of marauding herders attack and people of Nduegu Ishieke Community cutting across Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi and Ado Local Government Area of Benue states have appealed the two Governors to urgently assist in addressing the proper boundary demarcation of the two states to reduce their plights.
The people made the appeal in a report presented by Izhi Crisis Management Committe to Oha Izhi in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital.
According to the committee which was headed by Rev Fr Vincent Odom, lauded Ebonyi state government led by Engr David umahi for his fatherly role in ensuring that survivors of the ill feted attack were given medical attention by providing free feeding and treatment to over ninety injury bastardized persons at Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.
They also acknowledged the selfless and financial contributions of Ebonyi council Chairman, Hon Chinyere Nwogbaga and speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru among others whose effort the victims were rescued.
The committee chairman who was represented at the occasion by the Secretary, Dr Friday Nkwede noted that one hundred and seventeen persons were confirmed killed with domestic and household property running into billions destroyed.
The report hinted that the four affected villages suffered great educational backwardness since they have one primary school each and only secondary school which were built by community effort including the payment of their teachers.
The committee decried that in the entire community that there’s no hospital,road, drinkable water or other social amenities that prove government presence as the nearest hospital was far away at Onuenyim Agbaja community, Izzi council Area which contributed to increase in casualties during the senseless attack.
They observed that after the attack, a joint of security of police and army had visited the community and investigation ongoing.
The committee while appreciating those who made donation both in cash and in kind towards alleviating the predicament and dilemma meted on the people,pray that Ali Izhi rewards the sympathizers for the uncommon show of love.
They, however, call the government of Ebonyi and Benue states to assist address the boundary demarcation as requested by the people of the community who neither enjoy presence of the government of the two states despite their economic and social contributions.
“The committee graciously appreciates all the people who made donations both in cash and in kind towards alleviating the predicament and dilemma meted on the innocent souls and people of Nduegu Ishieke Community by the callous fulani Herdsmen on 30th May,2021. May Ali Izhi reward all of you for this uncommon show of kindness and love”.
“On a special note,the committee greatly acknowledge and appreciates the effort made by Ebonyi State government through the Governor of the state,His Excellency, Engr David Nweze Umahi, especially on the treatment and feeding of over 92 people that sustained various degrees of injuries, of which some patients are still recovering, while majority have been discharged at the time of this report”.
“Apart from financial contributions and donations,the committee also particularly acknowledged and deeply appreciates the additional selfless service and relentless efforts made by the following individuals in the cause of managing the crisis situation:
1.The Speaker of EBSHA-Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru,
2. Chairman Ebonyi LGA-Mrs Chinyere Nwogbaga,
3. Hon. Solomon Uzoke,
4. Mr.Louis Nwebonyi,
5. Fr. Daniel Agara and
6. Emmanuel Eze”.
“Finally,the committee appreciates the following groups for their efforts and contributions:Oha Izhi Nnodo, Izhi Tehu Foundation, Izhi Clergy, Izhi Youth Forum, Izhi Medical Doctors, Izhi Lawyers, and various Izhi clubs. The prayer of the committee is that God who sees in secret will rewards all our individual and groups efforts and contributions in Jesus Name,Amen”.
“We sincerely thank friends of Izhi clan who made donations to assist the victims even though,they are not from Izhi land”.
Earlier,one of the stakeholders from the area and former state Minister for Power and Steel, Chief Goddy Ogbaga applauded those who made cash donations and other gifts to the victims and prayed God who rewards in secret to pay them back in hundred folds.
Chief Ogbaga equally appreciated Izhi Crisis Management Committe for their transparency, even as,he commended speaker Ebonyi State House of Assembly and Ebonyi council Chairman respectively for their contributions and pray that such sorrowful incident would never befell the clan.
It is recall that suspected fulani Herdsmen on early morning of 30th May,2021 invaded four villages of Nduobashi, Odoke, Ekpupfu,and Obakota of Nduegu Ishieke Community killing one hundred and seventeen persons with two hundred and four shops razed down and other property running into billions destroyed.
Also recall was that with the instrumentality of Izhi Tehu Foundation in consultation of Board of Trustees and Izhi stakeholders initiated the fifteen man Crisis Management Committe where sympathizers raised over ten million naira and some gift items which were distributed to the victims.
