By CHARLES IWUOHA

Ten persons have been reported killed in a dawn attack on an Ezza Effium Community of Ohaukwu Local Government Area in Ebonyi State.

The attack on the Umuezeoka community which happened on Wednesday May 1, 2024, also led to destruction of properties by the gunmen whose identities have not been ascertained.

A health centre in the community was among several buildings burnt and destroyed by the attackers.

Ezza Effium and Uffiom people both in Effium town have been having an intra-communal crisis for about fours years which claimed hundreds of lives with thousands displaced.

The attack is believed to be a continuation of the lingering crisis which has proven to be intractable so far.

Though identities of the attackers are unknown but sources from Ezza Effium claimed the attackers were Uffiom warriors.

Their claims could not be independently verified.

Gory pictures of those killed circulated on social media on Thursday.

Total number of those killed could not be ascertained but from the pictures, at least nine dead bodies were counted most of them women and children.

A source from the area noted that most of those killed were children, the aged and women including a pregnant woman.

Another source from the area regretted that the attack came when the state government has initiated moves to bring lasting peace among the warring parties.

“While Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is doing everything to bring peace to Effium community, the aggressors from Uffiom have been busy thwarting every peace effort of the government.

“Just yesterday, they attacked Inikiri Umuezeoka where they massacred children, old men and women and burnt down every structure within their reach including Amurt.

“This is unbecoming and Ebonyi State Government should arrest their leaders. The government can’t be making peace effort and these monsters will be somewhere discrediting the good efforts of the government. It’s now obvious that Uffiom never wanted peace,” the source said.

Police spokesperson, Joshua Ụkandu said he was not aware of the incident.

He promised to revert back after getting in contact with the DPO of the area but was yet to do so at press time hours after he was first contacted.

Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor, who didn’t want to comment on the security situation in Effium, enumerated the present administration’s efforts towards ensuring that peace returns to the troubled area.

He said: “The implementation Committee has been inaugurated. The Peace Committee has been inaugurated and they have started work in earnest.

“All the Line Ministries are working with the Committees to ensure that peace returns there in Effium. In a few days’ time, the Gazzetta copy of the White Paper will be out. Before ending of next week, it’s going to be out.

“The Chairman of the implementation Committee is the honorable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice. The Peace Committee is headed by the former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Amb. Franklin Ogbuewu.

“And both the Chairman of the Implementation Committee and the Line Ministries are all members of the Peace Committee. They go to that place every now and then. And I am aware that very soon, they will reach out to the Communities affected and communicate the position of government to them.”

Among the distinguished members of the Committee are Dr. Ben Uruchi Odo, Hon. Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice; Barr. Albert Alo, Solicitor General; Engr. Stanley Lebechi Mbam, Commissioner for Works; Dr. Matthew Nwobasi, Commissioner for Lands and Survey; Engr. Francis Ori, Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development; Mr. John Igbede, Surveyor General; Dr. Scamb Nwokolo, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ebonyi State Chapter; Rev. Fr. Samuel Okorie; and Rev. Fr. Cornelius Chukwu.

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