In what appeared to be a significant milestone towards final resolution of the war between Effium and Ezza Effium communities in Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi State.
The state government on Thursday, presided over the signing of peace pact between the two warring communities which is a step towards the total return of peace in the war-torn communities.
The Chairman of the White Paper Implementation Committee, who is also the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Ben Odoh said as the Chairman of the implementation committee, the committee was poised to implement all that were contained in the white paper which is meant for total return of peace in the area.
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He noted that the state governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru is fully committed to the restoration of peace in the area.
Odoh stated further that the white paper also provides for an amnesty and disarmament program for those detained at various custodial centres and for the fighters in the bush, which according to him were all prices for peace on the side of the government.
Other items in the white paper revealed that the Effium people are the landlord and as such has full autonomy to produce a traditional ruler, while her Ezza counterpart is semi-autonomous and can only produce a town union president, among other recommendations.
“Government is putting in place a disarmament programme and also putting in place an amnesty program.
“Governments will forgive them and will then de-radicalize them and re-integrate them back into the society.
“Then, those of them that are already detained at various custodial centres, the governor will pardon them and they will be released, these are prices for peace to be achieved,” he said.
Responding, the spokesman of Ezza Effium community, Barrister Utobo Onele said they were not comfortable with some items in the documents presented by the peace committee, but that they don’t have any other alternative but to promote peace and unity.
On his part, the president of Effium Development Union, Professor James Agina expressed satisfaction with the content of the white paper and promised that his people were willing and ready to do everything that would bring lasting peace in the communities.
In their separate votes of thanks, the former Chief Judge of Ebonyi State, Justice Anselm Nwigwe and the special assistant to the Governor on community relation, Chief Nichodemus Omenka appreciated the governor on his efforts in restoring peace in the area and pledged to work with the government to restore lasting peace in the area.
Recall that in 2021, communal crises erupted in Effium community with her Ezza counterpart which snowballed into a full blown war and consumed countless lives and properties worth billions of naira.