Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
About ten of indigenes of Effium community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on awaiting trial have died in prison, women of the community alleged on Monday.
The women, who hail from the two warring sections of Effium and Ezza-Effium in Effium community stated this at a briefing In Abakaliki, capital of the state.
They called for the release of their husbands and children languishing in prison over the intractable war between the two neighbouring communities.
Background
The people have been leaving together peacefully and coexisting until a recent motor park union leadership election in the area turned violent in 2021.
It soon resulted in a full blown crisis in the community between the people of Effium and Ezza-Effium with many lives lost and properties worth billions of naira destroyed.
The last administration in the state made efforts to resolve the crisis but killings, maiming and destructions persisted.
Many people from the two communities were arrested, and remanded in prisons.
Poor condition of detainees
The women told Reporters that the total number of detainees stands at 177. Of which 92 are Ezza-Effium while 85 are Effium.
They have been awaiting trial for about four years.
The women lamented that apart from the 10 who have died in prison custody, many others have gone blind while others are suffering different diseases for lack of medical care.
The women, lamented that life has become so difficult for them since their husbands and children who are among the detainees were remanded.
They called on Governor Francis Nwifuru to intervene and ensure that they are released.
Mrs. Uguru Blessing from Effium said she has been suffering since four years her husband was sent to prison.
“My husband has been in prison for over four years now and I don’t know what to do.
“I really appreciate our governor for the kind of peace he has brought in Effium. I am so happy, I really appreciate him, he is a good man.
“One thing I am begging him, he should please, help us. We are suffering, we are dying. My husband left four children for me and since then, I don’t know what I am doing. The load of two people has turned to one person. (sic)
“My children have dropped out of school, they are at home because of my inability to pay their school fees. Our governor should please help us so that our husbands can be released ,” she said.
On her part, Mrs Kindness Ekpeta from Ezza, commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for restoring peace in Effium and appealed to him to intervene in the imprisonment of their husbands and children so that they can be released.
She alleged that over 10 of their husbands and children in the prison have died while those that are alive are now very sick.
“I went there last Sunday to visit them and I shed tears because many of them are sick, many are blind because of lack of care.
“My promise to our governor is that we will continue to be supporting him for bringing peace in Effium,” she stated.
Other women including Mrs Martha Nworie and Mrs Virginia Ufuo from Ezza-Effium lamented that the detention of their husbands and children have brought untold hardship for them as they can no longer carter for their children.
They also appealed to Governor Nwifuru to assist in releasing them even as they commended him for restoring peace to the area.
