Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
One of the soldiers on peace keeping mission in the crisis prone Effium community in Ebonyi State has been declared missing.
To this end, the state governor had threatened to declare war on anyone responsible for his dissapearance if he is not found alive before 12noon today (Thursday).
The governor stated this in a statement by his Spokesperson, Monday Uzor, on Wednesday night.
The people of Efium and Ezza Effium in Effium town have been enmeshed in an intractable communal crisis which has decimated the town.
Hundreds of lives have been lost with thousands rendered homeless in the crisis which started in 2020.
All efforts to bring lasting peace in the area have not been successful.
Governor Nwifuru in the statement also threatened to dissolve the peace committee mediating in the criss if the soldier is not found.
The statement reads: “The Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has received with utmost shock and dismay the report that one of the Soldiers on peace keeping mission at Akparata axis of Effiuim in Ohaukwu Local Government Area has been declared missing .
“To this end, the Governor has warned that if the soldier is not found alive before 12 noon tomorrow, 26th October, 2023, Government will be left with no option than to declare war against whoever that is involved, be it Effiuim or Ezza Effiuim and those found culpable will never inhabit the community again”
“Also the Governor has warned that the Committee intervening in the crisis will be dissolved if the missing Solder is not found before 12 noon tomorrow, 26th October, 2023”
“Finally, the Governor has declared that enough is enough,” the statement said.
