–Warn Against Renewal of Crisis
By Amuche Agbo, Abakaliki
Sequel to the age long communal crisis between the people of Enyigba Community in izhi Clan and Enyibichiri Community in Ikwo clan, the traditional prime ministers, traditional rulers, elders of both clans including Ezza Ezekuna on Saturday, 7th August, 2021 took a traditional oath forbidden the renewal of any form of hostilities between the two brother clans.
The traditional ritual took place at the boundary between the two clans which was chaired by the traditional rulers and elders of Ezza Ezekuna who is the eldest son of Umuekumenyi.
While performing the ritual, the traditional prime minister (Ishiuke Izhi) Elder Mbam Ngele and Ezeogo Martins Oyibe of Ameka Community, Aliugbala Nwibo among others from Ikwo clan declared that, henceforth, all forms of hostilities between the two brothers must stop, stating that any person or group of persons that indulged in any act capable of bridge of peace between the two clans would be visited by the ancestors of Umuekumenyi in which the consequences would be too severe on the person or persons.
Specifically, the traditional ruler of Ameka Community who led other Ezza Ezekuna elders, Ezeogo Martins Nwite Onyibe hinted that as the eldest son of Umuekumenyi, who knew the importance of peace between their brothers and sisters, enjoined them to continue to live harmoniously and called on the recalcitrants and mischief makers to be cautious of the traditional ritual, as any body who violate it will face the full wrath of the gods of the land.
On their part, the former Senator of Ebonyi North zone, Chief Chris Nwankwo, traditional ruler of Amegu Community Ezeogo Fidelis Nwonumara, his Amegu Ikwo counterpart Ezeogo Dominic Alo, Public Relation Officer, Oha Izhi, Apostle Benjamin Obeji and Chief Okeagu Ogada appreciated elders of Ezza Ezekuna clan for recognizing the sacredness of life cum bond existing among children of Umuekumenyi and promise to take the message to their people in their various localities.
They described the traditional oath taking as a welcome development, adding that it would help to solidify the relationship between the two brothers.
However, they advised their people especially the youths to go about their lawful businesses without fear, while calling them to sheathe their sword and embrace the peace movement for the overall development of the state
The stakeholders added that the oath taking has restored permanent peace in the area and urged their people to embrace their initial mutual relationship as there is no longer rift among them.
The ritual drew the presence of the former Vice Chancellor of Ebonyi State University Professor Francis Idike, Chief Oliver Eze, Professor Big Ben Ogbonna, Chief Francis Ezeigwe, Abakaliki council chairman represented by his Special Assistant on Security, pascal Ewa, the National president of Izhi/ Ikwo peace movement Barr. Pascal Nwenyi and his vice president Dicklan Ovuna, Coordinator of Ikwo Development Center among others.
Highlights of the ritual were burying of live goat, fowl, machete, palm front, local gun, hoe, stick among other war weapons at the river bank that demarcated the two clans.
