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The Ebonyi State Government has given two weeks to the people of Umuobor, Akaeze, and Ogwor, Ishiagu in Ivo Local Government Area to embrace peace and end the long-standing land dispute that has consumed both lives and properties.
Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru issued the warning at a meeting with stakeholders of the two communities in his office at the Government House, Abakaliki.
Nwifuru insisted that if both communities failed to reconcile within 14 days, the state government would take over the disputed land.
For some time now, both communities have been embroiled in a communal clash over the Elueke parcel of land, a development that has constituted a threat to the peace of the state.
The governor urged them to sheathe their swords and embrace peace, even as he declared that the disputed Elueke land remains a buffer zone.
“I called for this meeting to reconcile the aggrieved brothers of Akaeze and Ishiagu Communities in Ivo Local Government Area. Peace is all about give and take. We are all here to make sacrifices and submit to the will of the people. What the people want is peace, law, and order, and that is the mandate they gave me.
“It is very shameful that the people of Umuobor and Ogwor have allowed wars to tear them apart.
“Ordinarily, you should not have allowed third parties to come in between your problems. You may not know the meaning of the peace you enjoy until you lose it—that is when you will know the meaning of the absence of peace,” he said.
The Governor constituted a committee to visit the boundary and work out modalities for a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
The committee comprises two village heads, one youth leader from each of the communities, five elders each, the council chairman, two development centre coordinators, executive council members from the council, as well as security agencies.
In his reaction, the Executive Chairman of Ivo Council Area, Chief Emmanuel Ajah, thanked Governor Francis Nwifuru for his wisdom in giving a good verdict and judgment. He urged the elders to stand up for the truth for peace to return. (Nigerian Tribune)
