A group under the aegis of Ohaukwu Concerned Elites in Ebonyi state has called on the governor of Ebonyi state, Chief David Umahi, to free stakeholders of Effium community who were arrested in connection with the crisis in the area.
The group in a statement issued and signed by its national President and Secretary General, Barr. Ogazi Friday and Evang. Godwin Aliuna, respectively and made available to newsmen in Abakaliki said for any hope of peace there must be some form of conversation between both sides.
The statement reads in part: “The horrendous and unnecessary war at Effium is still ongoing with fatal consequences. The arrest and detention of stakeholders who were invited for peace talk is not helpful in any way. Many of our members are among those who attended the meeting and are now held.
“For any hope of peace there must be some form of talk between both sides. That is not happening for now. There is need for a vocal and systematic engagement with the govt to see things in this perspective.
The group further urged the governor to create camps for the internally displaced persons from Effium community who escaped from being killed by gunmen who ravaged the community.
The group expressed regret that over 20,000 indigenes of the community who are peasants farmers, who narrowly escaped death by whisky are roaming round the major streets of Abakaliki without anyone to help them.
“We noticed that over 20,000 indigenes of Effium community, who narrowly escaped from being killed by unknown gunmen, are everywhere in the streets of Abakaliki without anyone to help them.
“Go to Ezzamgbo junction, Sperando junction, Presco junction and many other major streets of Abakaliki, you will see thousands of the refugees lying in deep hunger and frustration there.
“Many of the refuges are children, young mothers and girls, others are elderly persons. Few of them are roaming round the streets begging for arms.
The group however, commended the governor David Umahi for his quick intervention and varied measures employed to forestall further killings in the area.
