Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The people of Effium and Ezza-Effium both in Effium community, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have agreed to cease fire and end the war between them.
The crisis started on January 21st, 2021, and claimed hundreds of lives with property worth billions of naira destroyed.
The two warring parties have been living together for many decades before the war in which both recorded high casualties and destruction of valuable property.
However, at the weekend, the peace and reconciliation committee set up by Governor Francis Nwifuru to find a lasting solution to the war brokered a truce between the two parties
The two parties signed the ceasefire agreement before the Bishop Nnachi Okoro-led peace and reconciliation committee in Abakaliki, the state capital.
The meeting also had security chiefs in attendance.
The state Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr. Donatus Ilang read the ceasefire agreement before the warring parties after which their stakeholders signed the agreement.
The agreement reads: “a ceasefire agreement is made this day of 2023 between Effium and Ezza Effium.
“Whereas there was a crisis between Effium and Ezza Effium, Effium community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State which started on 21st January 2021 and has lingered till date.
“Not comfortable with the war, the state government constituted a peace and reconciliation committee to resolve the crisis.
“The reconciliation committee has commenced mediation, arbitration with the parties who have mutually agreed to halt all forms of attack against one another.
“The parties have agreed as follows; that the state government through the committee should use all available at its disposal oral and handwritten to resolve the crisis.
“That both parties have agreed to prevail on their warriors to lay down their arms by the ceasefire to enable the committee fully wade into the crisis and amicably resolve same.
“Both parties have also agreed to stop all forms of hostilities and to cooperate with the state government and the committee in their efforts to bring lasting peace to the trouble-ridden community.
“Consequently, any party or group of persons or individuals that violate this ceasefire agreement will be answerable to the laws of Ebonyi State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
A member of the committee, Rev. Fr. Charles Otu, commended security chiefs for their presence and support in ensuring a lasting solution to the intractable war between the two communities.
He warned against breach of the ceasefire agreement, adding that it was binding on the parties.
Chairman of the peace and reconciliation committee, Most Rev. Nnachi Okoro, retired Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, urged the parties to embrace peace and continue to live as brothers.
