The people of Isu clan, Arochukwu L.G.A., Abia State have narrated their ugly experience after the invasion of their homes during a boundary clash with the people of Utuma and Ukwa, of Biase and Odukpani councils of Cross River State in 2019 and 2020
This is even as they have commended the traditional ruler of Ata-Igboukwu autonomous community of Ihechiowa, Eze Linus Mbah for coming to their rescue with donations of cash, food items and clothing materials.
The victims made their experience known on Monday at the Ata-Igboukwu palace of the royal father after receiving palliatives from the traditional ruler which he said, was to help them overcome their travails during the land crises.
Speaking on behalf of other women of Isu-aba community, one of the victims, Madam Grace Okoro Udo narrated that their homes, farms, livestock were allegedly destroyed by the Cross River invaders during the battle for ownership of mineral-rich lands between her community and those from Cross River.
She regretted that many displaced persons, especially women and children of the community slept in tick bushes filled with dangerous reptiles even when it rained heavily.
She commended Eze Mbah for the donation of food items, cash and clothing materials to them, despite the fact that the royal father hailed from another clan of Ihechiowa, noting that the items would help them kick-start life again.
She equally regretted that most pupils from her area dropped out of school because of the crises but prayed God to reward the monarch for remembering her people.
Udo also commended the Abia State government for its intervention which calmed situation, while appealing for government and individuals to assist their husbands to rebuild their damaged houses, as well calling for a lasting solution to the crises.
“Onye Eze is from Ihechiowa but he included us in his yearly empowerment programme which he does for his people and we are very grateful to him for reviving our hopes. We and our kids used to sleep inside tick bushes while hiding from the invaders.”
“During the clashes, we stayed in bush for many weeks with nothing to eat, it was a terrible experience,” she submitted.
Speaking earlier while giving out the items, Eze Mbah said it gave him joy to assist the less-privileged.
He disclosed that his decision to add the people of Isu in his empowerment programmes was a way of expanding his uplift of the ordinary people around him, adding that it was also a way of appreciating God’s blessings upon his life.
He urged the beneficiaries to share the items amicably and to avoid rancour.
The items shared to the victims included bags of rice, beans, garri, stockfish, tubers of yam and wrappers, among others.
