The Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in the Diaspora (AESID) said it is alarmed by the persistent killings ongoing in Effium community, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state, calling on the federal government to urgently intervene and put an end to it.
The Ebonyi indigenes claimed that the “senseless attacks on defenceless citizens” have claimed hundreds of lives and led to the loss of several properties worth millions of naira since January 22nd 2021 when the first incident was reported.
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A statement released Thursday in Abuja by the AESID President, Amb. Paschal Oluchukwu, condemned what he described as buck-passing by the state government while innocent lives, particularly those of Ezza origins were being lost.
“We vehemently condemn Wednesday’s slaughtering of scores of Ezza fathers, mothers, sons and daughters including the setting ablaze of many homes by the hired fighting militiamen.
“The sad incident could have been averted if the government has ever lived up to its responsibility of protecting lives and properties.
“AESID is deeply saddened that under the present [David] Umahi administration, the lives of Ebonyians are as worthless as tissue paper.
“We recall advising the state government in January on the urgent and genuine steps it must take to tackle and resolve this crisis tracing it back to the actual root of the conflict,” the group said.
According to the statement, “AESID is generally concerned that the level of widespread insecurity and growing apprehension that has hit Ebonyi state under Umahi’s leadership as the Chief Security Officer of the state is very alarming and quite pathetic that our once peaceful state could almost be compared to Zamfara and other Northern states held hostage by bandits and terrorists.
“We are duty-bound to reflect that when these violent killings that have led to the death of hundreds of many unarmed and harmless Ezza natives who were completely taken unawares started, the first impression the Governor gave was that it was a mere fight between two factions over who controls Effium motor park. But investigations have revealed contrary.”
Oluchukwu said a petition was made to authorities concerned to the effect and Governor Umahi was copied.
“We further write to inform and remind you that the over 15, 000 natives of Ezza nation who have remained displaced as a result of this crisis that has persisted without media reportage are still stranded in different parts of the state without any succour and or support from your administration.
“AESID makes no hesitation to invite the Federal Government and all its agencies to uncompromisingly wade into this matter in order to nip this crisis in the bud,” the group said.
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