The protracted communal conflict between the people of Ezza Effium and Effium communities in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, South-East Nigeria is taking a new dimension with reports of day time killing of 11 people, mostly children and a pregnant woman.
Reports say the latest attacks were carried out between the hours of 2pm and 6pm on Wednesday, by suspected Uffiom militias at Inikiri Umuezeoka in Ohaukwu LGA.
Locals told AIT.live in Abakaliki that over 20 buildings were equally destroyed in the new wave of hostility, despite deployment of joint security operatives to the troubled area.
Governor Francis Nwifuru since assumption of office about a year now, has taken crucial measures to restore peace to the affected communities that have been in crisis for many years, with previous administrations failing to address the issue.
As part of the peace process, Governor Nwifuru has commenced a resettlement programme for displaced persons who had fled their ancestral homes.
A Peace Implementation Committee set up by the Ebonyi State Government is currently at work before Wednesday’s deadly attack, signalling what could become a major set back.
As at the time of this report, the Ebonyi State Police Command is yet to make any official statement on the latest incident, more than twenty-four hours after the reported attacks.
The military is said to have moved in to quell an escalation of the killings.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
