Residents of the Ezza-Ezekuna community in Ado LGA of Benue State have accused warlords from the Akparata community in Ebonyi State of killing four prominent members of their community.
In a letter addressed to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Lady Perpetual Nkechi Okafor, a former secretary of Ado LGA and current President General of the Ezza-Ezekuna Benue Development Association (EEBDA), expressed the community’s deep concern over the ongoing violence.
The letter alleged that on December 12, 2024, four prominent individuals were killed in an unprovoked attack at Azaoke, near Apa Ogbozu in Apa ward, Ado LGA, insisting that the attackers were reportedly warlords from the Akparata community in Ohaukwu LGA, Ebonyi State.
The letter detailed the historical roots of the violence, tracing it to the Ezza/Effium crisis in Ebonyi State, which spilt into Benue due to the presence of Ezza and Effium groups in Ado LGA.
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Okafor said the crisis has since destabilised their community, forcing many residents to flee and others leaving in a state of fear.
“We have become an open killing field stalked by Effium warlords,” the letter stated, adding that residents were unable to go to markets, farms, or places of worship. Children have also stopped attending school due to the persistent threats of attacks.
The community therefore called on Governor Alia to collaborate with his Ebonyi State counterpart to address the security situation and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“This is beyond politics. Ezza-Ezekuna community needs your intervention to restore peace and prevent the situation from deteriorating into total chaos,” the letter added.
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