Land war: Anambra, Kogi states war ends, peace on

Warring communities of Eziagulu-Otu,

Enugu-Otu and Mkpunando Aguleri, all  in Anambra East Local Government

Area, Anambra State and their arch rival, Odeke, Ihile and Echeno

communities, Ibaji Local Government Area, Kogi State,  at the weekend agreed

unanimously to cease fire and make peace covenant.

The peaceful resolution of the war over land ownership, through

oath-taking, (Iko Mmee) it was gathered, is the most fearful means of

dispute settlement in the war torn communities and neighbourhood as

death awaits defiant ones.

On the fateful day, the sponsor of the peace settlement, Omabala

Indigenous Youth Foundation, (OIYF) resolved to use the Nsukka

residence of the Traditional Ruler of Igwe Ifite-Ogwari, His Royal

Majesty, HRM, Igwe Alphonsus Ofuebe, for the peace covenant.

At the venue, three people from each state, representing the three

communities at war with their rivals, did the oath-taking covenant,

(Iko mmee) which is binding to all indigenes of the warring

communities in both states.

The three representatives from Kogi who swore to the oath included,

Chairmen of Odeke, Echeno and Ihile and they were Edwin Ajodo, Ezekiel

Amajeh and Egwuna Gabriel while those from Anambra were, chairmen of

Eziagulu-Otu, Chief Obidike Eneanya, Enugu-Otu, Chief Joe Obiorah and

Mkpunando/Agulu-Otu, Chief Igboanugo Ilochi.

In his post covenant speech, the Chairman of OIYF, Comrade Simon

Okafor Iyielioba, recalled the efforts the foundation made to stop the

senseless killings he said had spanned over five years and thanked God

that the foundation was able to help restore the lost glory of both

states as brothers.

“we salute you all and pray that this is the beginning of a new era in

the history of the warring communities, as brothers reach out to their

brothers for peace and lasting resolution to their differences in

whatever form”, he stated.

He paid glowing tribute to the late Chsairman of the Peace Initiation

Committee, Anambra/Kogi States boarder crisis, Chief Emmanuel

Akabueze, who he said was not alive to see what he started came to

fruition.

He also commended the President General of Eziaguluotu-Aguleri, Chief

Onwuetiaka Anthony Ezechukwu who witnessed the oath-taking,  Chief

Davis Akor, community leader, Echeno, who led the Kogi delegate to the

venue at Nsukka, Enugu state and the patron of OIYF, Chief Ifeanyi

Abala, for his financial encouragement.

Also the Attah Igala, HRM Agabaidu (Dr) Idakwo Ameh Oboni, HRM Eze

(Dr) N.N. Kelly Oba, Okalakwu Igbariam and HRM Eze Chukwuemeka  Eri,

Eze Nri, Eze Ora 34th, Akajiovo Igbo. Ime Obu Gad, Enugwu Aguleri,

were commended to have put in their money and time.

Speaking, the patron of OIYF, Abala said the only thing that would

bring peace and development was  this oath-taking covenant and

commended all who contributed in cash and kind for the peace

restoration.

The Umuada of the three communities from Anambra were led by Chief

(Mrs) Nwando Alaguva who was accompanied by Lawrence Oduko while the

coordinator of the peace covenant, Tony Edochie, expressed

satisfaction with the oath-taking as the only biding force.