Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has appealed to the people of Umuobor-Akaeze and Ogwor-Ishiagu communities in the Ivo Local Government Area to lay down their arms and embrace peace. Governor Nwifuru made the appeal during a meeting with stakeholders from both communities at his office in the New Government House, Abakaliki, the state capital.
The ongoing conflict between the two communities has resulted in numerous casualties and substantial property damage. This conflict, primarily over the fertile Elueke land, has been a long-standing issue, with tensions escalating recently. In response to the violence, Governor Nwifuru had previously declared the disputed land a buffer zone.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor, and obtained by newsmen Governor Nwifuru reiterated that the disputed land remains designated as a buffer zone. He warned that if the communities fail to reconcile within the next two weeks, the state government would take over the land.
“I called for this meeting to reconcile the aggrieved members of the Akaeze and Ishiagu communities in Ivo Local Government Area. Peace requires give and take. We are all here to make sacrifices and submit to the will of the people. What they want is peace, law, and order, and that is the mandate they gave me,” Nwifuru stated.
He expressed disappointment that the two communities had allowed their differences to lead to conflict, stressing that external intervention should never have been necessary. He added, “You may not realize the value of peace until you lose it; that’s when you will understand the absence of peace.”
To further facilitate a peaceful resolution, Governor Nwifuru established a committee tasked with visiting the boundary area and working on strategies to end the crisis. This follows last week’s declaration by the governor that the Elueke land would be a buffer zone, amidst the ongoing clashes that have resulted in casualties and significant property damage.
