The people of the Isuaniocha Community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State have resolved to embrace peace for the overall development of the community.
In a general meeting involving the elders, women, youths, and stakeholders, the community disbanded all youth activities in the town and banned the collection of levies in various forests in the area.
The people have set up a Peace Committee with the mandate of speaking with all parties involved in the five-year-long crisis and providing recommendations aimed at ensuring lasting peace in Isuaniocha.
They have also directed that all those building stalls at the Eke Agba market square should stop henceforth, as the land belongs to Isuaniocha Community and not to any individual.
Those who were already paying rent and levies to private individuals were directed to stop forthwith and pay the same to the community until all issues are resolved.
Nigerian Tribune gathered that this was the first time the entire community sat together to discuss since 2018 when a leadership crisis broke out, leading to the destruction of property and the death of some individuals.
The elders and Ndi Ozor set the tone for the peace talks as they opened the floor for all aggrieved and concerned persons to come out and proffer a way forward, having agreed that peace was the best option for the overall interest of the entire community.
Chief Danatus Anyaegbunem, Chairman of Umelem village, said the entire community was from one parent and had no reason to reach the point of crisis that would warrant people running out of the town.
Another respondent, Comrade Innocent Okeke from Adama village, while commending those behind the peace meeting, encouraged the people to have a forgiving spirit, just as the holy book of God directed that all men must forgive before asking for mercy from Him.
The people used the medium to send a strong warning to all persons and private individuals from neighbouring communities who were intruding and fanning the embers of crisis in Isuaniocha, to desist henceforth, as the town was capable of resolving its matters amicably.
Chief Obuka Okoye from Otoko village and Luise Ndubuife appealed to those whose houses and means of livelihood were destroyed to forgive those involved in the interest of peace and the development of the community.
One of the victims of the crisis, Mr Madiegbuna Igboanyia, who recounted the trauma some of them went through in the last five years, called on the elders to remove sentiment and ensure that the truth is always spoken, as that is the only tool to bring about lasting peace.
Another victim, Paulinus Onyeagolu, whose family houses were destroyed and property looted, said they decided to initiate the peace process to put a stop to all the issues that do no individual any good.
Chief Onyeagolu, whose younger brother, Tony, was the President General of Isuaniocha when the crisis broke out after his refusal to connive with disgruntled elements to sell Community Secondary School land in 2018, called on parents to warn their children, youths, and relations to desist from further attacks, as such steps could hinder the progress being achieved in peace.
The Chairman of the Ozor in Council, Isuaniocha, Chukwudi Onuorah, while recounting that it was the first time the entire community was coming together to embrace peace, expressed hope that every matter would be resolved so that indigenes and residents would no longer have cause to run helter-skelter.
The Peace Committee is composed of Chairmen and Secretaries of all the villages, as well as women leaders and other notable upright individuals nominated by the elders and Ozor in Council.
The meeting, which took place on Saturday at Central School field in Isuaniocha, was filled to capacity with almost every indigene of the community in attendance.
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