Ebonyi State governor Dave Umahi said about twenty-five (25) deaths have been recorded so far in the lingering communal crisis between Effuim community and Ezra Effium community of Ohaukwu local government.
Obinwannem News had reported how Ebonyi govt directs deployment of security operatives to ‘warring’ communities
Governor Umahi addressed the stakeholders in a meeting on Monday, on the need to proffer a lasting solution to end the carnage in the area.
However, the crisis started last month, as a clash between two factions of the national union of road transport workers in the town but soon spread into the community.
Umahi revealed that 26 arms have been recovered so far from the area, and regretted the burning of 125 houses, including fuel and gas station.
He faulted the cause of the crisis to Clement Odah, Chairman of Ohaukwu council, and member representing ohaukwu constituency in the House of Assembly, Chinedu Awo. He said the crisis would have been avoided if they had listened to his instructions to solve the little problem occurring in the community before it escalated to the uncontrollable situation now.
He said that the warring parties are contributing money to promote the crisis and vowed to prosecute anybody sponsoring the killings in the community.
“If they ask you to contribute money whether you know what the money is for or you don’t know what the money is for, the moment you contribute the spilling of blood, it means that you and your generation to the 5th generation will be cursed”.
“We are all here because God gave us the opportunity. A small diabetes, kidney problem or cancer will demobilize anybody, but you don’t have it, because of the mercy and grace of God. So, I have called you as our leaders and stakeholders to ask what to do , what do we do to stop this? Enough is enough!” He said.
Umahi also blammed Commissioner for local government Samuel Okoronkwo, and his special assistant on Parks development, Emmanuel Igwe, for the crisis, saying if they had listened to his instructions to dissolve NURTW, the crisis would not have erupted.
Lolo Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News
