Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Member representing Ebonyi/ Ohaukwu federal constituency of Ebonyi state, Eze Nwachukwu Eze, has declared that no Agila Indigene was assaulted in Ngbo his community by an alleged group of boys from the area.
Eze made the disclosure in a rebuttal against a publication by an online news medium, (not Ikengaonline) which indicated that the incident occurred at the popular Okwor market, in Ngbo.
The lawmaker warned the author of the report to steer clear of his area and desist from any act that will disrupt the existing peace in the area.
“My attention and that of the Ngbo people have been drawn to the unwarranted, frivolous and fictitious report that a man from Agila in Ado LGA of Benue was beaten by a group of boys from Ngbo at the Okwor market.
“This report is capable of throwing the areas into serious tension and I call on our people and the Agila people to disregard the publication.
“Nothing like that happened as on the alleged day at the Okwor market, Agila people in their numbers were seen trading and buying wares.”
He noted that the Agila people traded with joy and conviviality as they walked from point to point in an atmosphere of friendship and love.
“The number of Agila people sleeping over in Ngbo today is more than 15 and we warn the fictitious writer in strong terms not to cause problems between Ngbo and Agila with his write-ups.
“Such write-ups fueled the fratricidal Effium/ Ezza Effium fratricidal conflict as this writer who is from Ezza-Effium, can no longer go to his village.
“He should not write to inflame the whole area but write to entrench peace and harmony among the people.”
The lawmaker said that the writer of the news was being warned for the last time as any further malicious publication from him will be addressed by every legal means by Ngbo people.
“With the authority of my office as a House of Representatives member, I warn him that security tension will not be tolerated in my area and we have had enough of such.
“Since the advent of this administration, peace has gradually returned and we don’t want a relapse.
“The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and entire press organs should warn him to desist from such publication.”
He noted that in an open market, where one comes from is not written on the face and if there was an altercation between people, it never metamorphoses to beating.
“This fictitious writer should steer clear of our area. He should disclose the identity of the person who beat someone, the victim or officials who spoke with him, also the hospital where the victim is receiving treatment.
“The peace we made with Agila people is sacrosanct. We would not tolerate any action that would jeopardise the lasting peace achieved with a talk between both communities on November 18, 2023,” he added.
