Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has pledged his commitment to ending the ongoing violence in the Ezza/Effium community in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area. Speaking from his office at the Government House, Nwifuru emphasised that his administration would end the crisis that has plagued the area for years. He expressed disappointment that certain elites seem to profit from the ongoing unrest, which has led to significant loss of life and destabilised the region.
According to the governor, the conflict originated from a dispute between two individuals over market control and revenues. A simple disagreement escalated into a large-scale crisis, costing many lives and disrupting the community. Despite efforts by the government to mediate the situation and find a peaceful solution, Nwifuru lamented that some individuals were hindering progress by making baseless and misleading claims about the peace process.
The governor also addressed the role of certain elites who, according to him, are attempting to keep the conflict alive for personal gain. He acknowledged the presence of opposition, but stressed that such opposition would not derail the government’s efforts to bring peace to the region. Nwifuru reaffirmed that the government was prepared to use all necessary resources to restore peace, including legal action against those who continue to perpetrate the violence.
He thanked the various stakeholders involved in the peace efforts, including law enforcement, community leaders, and the press, for their tireless work in bringing the issue to the forefront. Despite the challenges, Nwifuru remains determined to put an end to the crisis and ensure that the peace accord between Effium and Ezza Effium becomes legally binding and respected by all parties involved.
