Ebonyi/Cross River clashes take dangerous twist as 200 houses burnt in Abakaliki, 3 killed, 3 beheaded

www.odogwublog.com reports that eight communities in Azuoffia Edda community in Abakaliki local
government area of Ebonyi state have been sacked by suspected
miscreants from Ovuruokpon village in Cross River state who burnt down
over 200 houses.
Three indigenes of the Azuoffia community were said to have been
killed and beheaded while three others were kidnapped by the
assailants.

Seven out of the eight villages attacked have been deserted, the
residents of the communities rendered refugees.

The state governor, Engineer David Umahi who was in the area
yesterday, nearly broke down in tears, described the gruesome attack
as man’s inhumanity to man.

The governor went in the company of heavily armed security agents and
his executive council members.

Addressing the displaced persons at the Internal Displaced Persons
Camp (IDP) at the flank of the Azuoffia Edda, Umahi expressed shock
and sadness at the magnitude of the attack, more so as the assault
came a few days after peace talks between the two states had
commenced.

He enjoined the Azuoffia community members to remain calm as vengeance
belongs to God.

He however warned that Ebonyi state government would not tolerate
wanton destruction of lives and property of its citizens.

The governor assured that the state government would leave no stone
unturned to bring lasting peace in the area while necessary assistance
would be given to those affected by the attack.

He commended security agencies and the National Commission of
Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons for their prompt
responses.
He announced that Ekumenyi/ Nwida/Azuoffia Road wouldbe enlisted among
World Bank road projects to be constructed.

The Federal Commissioner for Refugees, Migrants and Internally
Displaced Persons, Mrs Sadiya Farouq represented by Mrs Maria Ngaji
said that in view of the critical conditions of the IDPs it had become
imperative that provisions be made for their protection, assistance
and lasting solution to the vulnerable persons.

Chairman of the Abakaliki local government council, Mr. Peter Nwogbaga
explained that apart from the hundred burnt homes, more people had
fled the area for fear of more attacks.

The council boss appealed for rehabilitation of the affected persons,
establishment of a police post in the community and proper delineation
of the boundary between the bordering communities of Ebonyi and Cross
River states.
Nwogbaga recalled that the crises between the feuding communities of
Azuoffia Edda and Ovuruokpon  began on January 10th 2017 after the
people of Ovuruokpon village accused the Azuoffia Edda community of
killing and beheading one Ishagha, a commercial motorcyclist. Ends