AGNES NWORIE, ABAKALIKI
The Christian Association of Nigeria, Ebonyi State Chapter has advised the people of Ikwo and Izzi clans to sheath their swords, so as to avert further loss of lives, reduce economic hardship, and contribute to the peace and progress of the state.
The advice was given at a meeting involving stakeholders of the two clans, CAN and some state government functionaries as part of efforts to resolve the dispute over a parcel of land by the two communities.
The stakeholders, in a communiqué issued after the enlarged security meeting, which was read by the state Chairman of CAN, who also doubles as the Senior Special Assistant to the state governor on Welfare and Religion, Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali stated thus;
“At the end of the session, both the Izzi clan and the Ikwo, all confirmed that there is no war between Izzi and Ikwo. Unfortunately, the conflict they had between Enyigba and Enyibichiri, that was long resolved with the Executive Order of His Excellency, about boundary, rose its ugly head in the recent development.
“The recent development in few days led to the burning of some houses, at the part of Enyigba and the part of Enyibichiri. But on a special note and heart breaking, is the abduction of children from Izzi which CAN says is highly condemnable.
“CAN therefore, is joining her words to the press release of His Excellency, where he gave Ikwo people (Enyibichiri), one week (7 days) to make sure that these children are returned. It is on that note that CAN is also making a special appeal to Enyibichiri and Ikwo people that long before the expiration of 7 days, to let CAN know the whereabouts of these children concretely and verifiably, alive or dead, that we may intervene in giving the State Government the report.
The stakeholders enjoined people to go about their normal businesses without fear, warning that everybody would be held accountable for his or her actions, should anyone be found culpable of breaching the public peace by the law enforcement agents in the state.
