A group known as ‘Ezza-Ezekuna Benue Development Association (EEBDA)’ have appealed to Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia to intervene in the constant attacks of Ezza-Ezekuna in Ado Local Government Area of the state.
In Save Our Soul letter, written by Hon. (Lady) Perpetual Okafor (LSM), former Secretary ADO LG and current President General of the group said that their community has been turned to killing field stalked by Effium people in Akparata community of Ebonyi State.
Akparata community is one of the border communities between Ado Local Government Area of Benue State and Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The Ezza/Effium crisis, which started in Effium community in Ebonyi state, spilled into Ado LGA in Benue State because of the presence of Ezzas/Effiumites in Ado LGA.
The president general said that the crisis has escalated leading to the relocation of some Effium and Ezza people to neighbouring communities both in Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State and Ado LGA of Benue State, thereby creating apprehension in those neighboring communities.
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The group said that said that four people were also killed last week near Apa Ogbozu in Apa council ward, Ado LGA of Benue State allegedly carried out people from Akparata community in Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State.
While recalling various attacks on the community, the group stated it always happens in broad daylight.
The group expressed fear that the situation may get worse if state government doesn’t intervene.
“Our people can no longer go to market, farms and worship centres, while our children have stopped going to school for fear of being attacked and killed.
While appreciating the sustained efforts on the part of Benue State Government to restore lasting peace between Effium people in Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State and the Ezza-Ezekuna people in Ado LGA of Benue State, the group said that killings are yet to abate.
“Therefore, we feel a moral burden to add our voice to a retinue of voices calling on you to halt the spate of killings in our community and prevent the situation from sliding into total chaos in the State”, the group said in a statement.
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