Indigenes of Ezza Effium communities in Effium, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi state have petitioned the federal government over the lingering crisis in the community.
The petition filed through their Solicitor, Sampson I. Ekigbo, Esq and signed by Hon. Chinedu Awo, urged the FG to take decisive actions to restore peace and normalcy in the troubled community.
The petition dated March 31, 2021, obtained in Abuja Wednesday was sent to the Inspector -General of Police, Chief of Defence Staff, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Amnesty International, Chief of Army Staff, Director of Department of State Services (DSS), and Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
The communities urged President Muhammad Buhari to deploy professional security agents to forestall further genocide against members of the community.
The lingering communal conflict in Ebonyi state between the Effium and Ezza Effium peoples has been violent, resulting in killings and destruction of property.
The crisis was fuelled by a leadership tussle at the area’s branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, involving old and new executives.
While alleging unprofessional conducts by some personnel belonging to various security agencies, the indigenes alleged plans to exterminate Effium indigenes of Ezza extractions.
The petition reads in part:”The crisis has remained unabated due to the various salient reasons including estrangement, political, marginalization, denial of other social-cultural rights/entitlements against Ezza people by the Ufiom people largely because their son, Hon. Clement Omekannaya Odah emerged the Executive Chairman of Ohaukwu council.
“This is not withstanding that the Ezzas compose not less than 80% of Effium autonomous community in Ohaukwu LGA, Ebonyi state. Overfive hundred Effium indigenes of Ezza extraction has been killed and their properties worth billions of naira looted/destroyed by the ufiom people. For avoidance of doubt, in the present unexpected crisis, we the Ezzas have remained under attack by various combined groups.”
While seeking for full and effectual resolution of the situations that led to the unwarranted and unexpected communal crisis, the petitioners demanded investigation into activities of some of the security agents in the state.
They also demanded the arrest and full investigation of Ohaukwu Local Government chairman, Hon Clement Odah over his involvement in the crisis.
When contacted on phone, the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba, however, said investigation into the crisis was ongoing, adding that all persons involved and found responsible for the violence would be brought to book.
