A group known as Effium Indigenous Vanguard, Friday, accused Ezza people of violating peace process by Ebonyi state government in the lingering war between the people of Effium and Ezza Effium, Ohaukwu local government area of the state.
This was even as they called on Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom, to complement the efforts of his counterpart, David Umahi of Ebonyi state in bringing the war to an end.
They made the call through a press release, made available to journalists in Abakaliki, the state capital.
The release was signed by the chairman of the group, Godwin Ogaba, and the secretary, Sampson Isih.
The group alleged that Ezza fighters were attacking Effium natives through Benue boundary.
The statement reads, “It should be noted that the Ezzas have continued to violate every single peace agreement and ceasefire orders by the government even as at the time of this press release Ezza fighters are currently attacking Lebadegum and Ofuke in Akparata axis.
“We appeal to Benue state government to complement the effort of Ebonyi state government in nipping this crisis in the bud by urgently taking drastic measures to stop Ezza fighters from using the border routes to come and attack Effium natives as the Ezza fighters who attacked Lebadegum/Ofule villages of Effium are believed to have come from Benue/Ebonyi boundary. This is important if we avoid another inter state war.
“Recently, these attacks by Ezzas have graduated from the use of AK-47 and AK- 49 to the use of improvised explosive devices (IED). The Effium natives have suffered so many casualties with over one thousand hulled and over two thousand houses burnt with properties worth billions of naira destroyed.”
The group however commended Governor Umahi’s effort towards restore peace to the area.
“We want to thank His Excellency the governor of Ebonyi state, Engineer David Nweze Umahi for his continuous effort to nip the crisis in the bud with the recent deployment of more army troops and other security personnel to the troubled le community which has resulted to a relatively r calm in the last couple of days,” it said.