Ebonyi Communal Crisis: Stakeholders Want Captives Released Immediately

Stakeholders of the Ivo local government area of Ebonyi State have expressed concern over the renewed hostilities between the people of Ogwor in the Ishiagu Community and Umobor in the Akaeze Community, both in the Ivo council area.

The stakeholders directed both communities to ensure the immediate release of any person(s) held captive in relation to the crisis between them.

In a communique issued at the end of the stakeholders’ meeting held at the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON office Abakaliki, the stakeholders directed that all hostilities between both communities cease forthwith.

The communique dated 24th November 2024 and made available to LEADERSHIP was signed by the member representing Ohaozara/Ivo/Onicha federal constituency, Hon Nkem Kama, the council chairman, Ivo LGA, Chief Emmanuel Ajah and the special assistant to the state governor on Internal Security, Ivo LGA, Hon Ike Cletus Ngah among others.

They also called on the security agencies in the state to immediately ensure the release of all those arrested in connection with the communal crises.

The communique reads, “That all the arrested person or persons by the security agencies in relation to the crises (both from Ogwor and Umobor) should be released immediately.

“That all the stakeholders of Ishiagu and Akaeze are by this communiqué, directed to meet with the members of the two involved communities and chart about the way forward and report back to the Ivo stakeholders within one week.

“The stakeholders further agreed that all members of the involved communities henceforth are restrained from accessing the disputed land, pending the final determination and consequent resolution of the subsisting matters.

“That all hostilities between both villages should cease forthwith. That if there is any person(s) held captive in relation to this matter by either of the two communities should be released with immediate effect. The Stakeholders also directed the committee set up by the Council Chairman, Chief Ajah to proceed expeditiously to complete their assignment within two weeks.

“That any person or group of persons found violating these directives and or further orchestrate more crises in relation to this matter will be regarded as enemy of government and as such be arrested and prosecuted.”