The Erei community in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State and their neighbouring Eddah in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have agreed to sheath their swords after over 50 years of inter-communal bloodbaths.
The communities have had gruesome battles over a border palm estate, with each claiming ownership.
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Stakeholders from both communities in the two states met in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State where they resolved not to fight again, and how to benefit from the estate.
The chairman of Biase LGA of Cross River State, Ada Charles Egwu, who is behind the peace treaty, has since her assumption of office in 2020, engaged the warring parties on the need for peace.
At the peace meeting held at Abi Local Government Council Secretariat, Itigidi, the feuding parties agreed to sheathe their swords and live in peace and unity.
As part of the settlement, they agreed that soldiers be deployed around the boundary between their two communities and that anyone found to be threatening the peace be arrested and made to face the law.
Ogwu said: “We are very happy that we have all come here, not in Erei or Edda but in a neutral place to agree on peace after 50 years.
“Our two communities have shed blood needlessly. With peace, we can attract development and progress. I am sure that we are happy that this settlement has come about.”