Inter-communal Clashes: C’River, Ebonyi LG Chairmen, Monarchs Sue For Peace

Traditional rulers and local government council chairmen have called for an end to incessant bloody communal clsshes between Erei community of Cross River State and their Eda neighbours in Afikpo,  Ebonyi State.

They made the call at a meeting, which took place at  Abi local Government Council Secretariat in Itigidi convened by the Chairman of Biase Local Government Council, Mrs Ada Charles Egwu, to proffer solutions to end the inter communal clashes.

Speaking at the occasion, Egwu lamented that there have been many attacks by both communities on each other, adding that it was time to stop further bloodshed. 

She said, “Every year particularly during  this time of year we experience needless bloodshed and destruction of property on both sides as people from Eda and their Erei neighbours fight over farming rights in portions of land along their common border. That must stop henceforth.

“That Erei is in Cross River and Eda in Ebonyi is for administrative convenience and not for enmity for each community to spill the blood of their brothers”.

She stated that military  personnel have been stationed around the area to arrest those who would disrupt the peace and made to face the law.”

Governor Ayade is very passionate about peace between Eda and Erei and I know the Governor of Ebonyi too is a man of peace therefore let’s maintain the peace. 

“I thank the  Eda community for honouring the invitation and I  plead  with the communities to embrace peace, as development cannot thrive where there’s no peace,” she said. 

The member representing Biase State Constituency in the Cross Rivef State House of Assembly, Mr Ogbor Ogbor, also called for an end to the hostilities in the two communities.

The leader of the Eda community His Highness Eze Ogo Charles Enyi told the communities to allow peace to prevail.

“We have agreed to live in peace and harmony with our Erei neighbours and anyone who tries to drag us to violence will be treated as a war monger and handed cover to the soldiers to deal with,” he said.

The Paramount ruler of Biase LGA Onun Nicholas Odim was also at the meeting and appealed to the two communities to keep the peace.