Communal Crisis: Ebonyi, Cross River Communities Sign Peace Accord

The people of Unwanna community in Afikpo North local government area of Ebonyi State and their neighbors of Western Erei communities in Biase local government area of Cross River State yesterday signed a peace accord to end their age long communal crisis that has led to the loss of lives, destruction of properties, abduction and arson.

The peace accord which was signed at the Afikpo North Council headquarters by the leaders of both warring communities among other things urged the State government of both communities to consider paying compensation to assuage the losses suffered by the both communities.

The people of Erei and Unwana communities had before the crisis enjoyed peaceful and harmonious co-existence for decades.

Of late, there has been intractable crisis between different factions of the Erei Communities leading to internally displaced persons some of whom found refuge in Unwana community.

It would be recalled that on the 13th March, 2022, one Late Mr. Lugard Okwe from Umolor-Erei was gruesomely murdered along Unwana Erei Road by unknown armed men which led to violent reactions from the Erei community with Erei youth embarking on midnight invasion of Unwanna community.

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The invasion witnessed wanton destruction and damage of Unwana communal properties, arson, personal injuries, abduction of 6 persons from Unwana community by the irate youths.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the abductees were later released at the timely intervention of the Governments of Ebonyi and Cross River States Security Agencies.

Addressing journalists shortly after the peace accord was signed, the Afikpo North council chairman, Hon Uche Ibiam said that part of the resolution by the both communities include safeguarding the inter-state border safety, security and protection.

In our effort to ensure lasting peace between Unwanna and the Western Erei communities resolved to co-operate as an indivisible entity”

“We also resolved to make an effort towards releasing the confiscated motor bikes and other items, if any, to their respective owners”.

“It was also resolved that the government and people of Cross River State and the Erei communities would also take measures towards finding lasting solutions to the crisis in the western Erei communities to enable the internally displaced persons to return home and resume their normal life”.

The resolution also includes the removal/dismantling of the blockage on the Unwana Erei road, with the guarantee of safe passage of all commuters.

Both communities also resolved to establish check points at two locations along the Unwana-Erei roads with each community citing her own check point within her territory.