Barely one week that the Ebonyi State governor, Francis Nwifuru granted amnesty to 159 indigenes of Effuim and Ezza Effuim community over the protracted communal war in the area, one person was yesterday killed, beheaded and other parts of his body severed in Akparata village, Effium in Ohaukwu local government area of the state by suspected warlords.
Confirming the killing to LEADERSHIP, the president-general of Effium Town Union, Dr Agena James said he had called the attention of the state governor to the killing.
“The killing of Godwin Odah at the back of his compound in Akparata village is coming barely one week after the Governor of the State, Francis Nwifuru, granted amnesty to 159 detainees arrested in the wake of the four years old intra-communal war that broke out in Effium in 2021.
“Your Excellency Sir, I wish to inform you that this morning at about 11.30am, Ezza warriors killed Godwin Odah at the back of his compound at Akparata village in Effium.
“This is disheartening despite government efforts to restore peace in Effium. We strongly demand that the perpetrators of this dastardly act be arrested promptly to face justice
“Ezza -Effium people are truncating the peace process again. The murdered victim had his head, one of the hand and leg severed in the most barbaric manner”, he said.
It would be recalled that the release of the detainees was part of Ebonyi State government’s effort to restore peace in the community before the killing of Godwin Odah by the suspected warriors.
Governor Nwifuru had, during the amnesty, maintained that both stakeholders of Effium and Ezza Effium had signed an undertaking that there would be no relapse into war in the Effium Community arising from the release of the detainees.
Governor Nwifuru said, “To the people of Effium and Ezza Effium, I say this: the grant of amnesty is not the end of the road; it is the beginning of a new chapter. It is a call to collective responsibility, a call to lay down your arms, to embrace dialogue, and to work together to rebuild your communities.
“The government will continue to support you, but the ultimate responsibility for peace lies in your hands. To the detainees who will be released , I urge you to seize this opportunity to turn a new leaf. You have been given a chance to rewrite your story, a story of peace, productivity, and positive contribution to society. Do not take this privilege for granted.
“Let me be clear: this amnesty is not a reward for wrongdoing. It is a strategic step towards achieving lasting peace and stability in Effium, Ezza Effium, and across Ebonyi State.
“The government remains committed to implementing the recommendations of the White Paper, including disarmament, rehabilitation, and the promotion of socio-economic development in the affected communities.”
