The Ebonyi State Government has frowned at the abduction of some people last week as a result of the crisis between the people of Oso community in Edda local government area and their Amasiri counterparts in Afikpo local government council.
The Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Princess Patricia Onyemaechi Obila who made the reservations of the state government known at a peace meeting at the Afikpo local government secretariat warned that government would wield the big stick on political office holders in the area if the abductees were not immediately released.
At the peace meeting attended by the chairmen of Afikpo LGA, Nwachi Timothy and his Edda counterpart, Hon Chima Ekumankama with their traditional rulers and stakeholders, the Deputy Governor made it clear that the government would not encourage lawlessness by any community.
She wondered why the issue of land should create disagreements with brothers to the point that some would go as far as killing their kith and kin.
Deputy Governor, the Afikpo LG Chairman, elders council and others at the different engagements at the LG secretariat, palace of the traditional ruler and at the council of elders meeting place
She underscored the commitment of the state government towards restoring peace in such communities.
Earlier the chairman Afikpo local government, Nwachi Timothy had condemned the action of the Oso community in abducting 5 persons made up of three from Amasiri and two from Cross River State and warned against the excesses of the youth in the community including asking for their unconditional release.
He enjoined the community not to thwart the efforts of government at peaceful resolution of the crisis between them and their Amasiri brothers.
The chairman of Edda, Hon Chima Ekumankama in his response condemned the attack from the Idima community in Oso and pledged to get into the roots of the matter.
The two coordinators from the affected communities, Hon Baron Ogbonnia and Mrs Nkama Nkama Ude restated their commitments at restoring normalcy in the area.
The Deputy Governor also used the occasion of her visit to Afikpo to pay new year visit to the council of elders where she emphasised the resolve of the government to provide basic amenities and other necessities of life to Afikpo people adding that the community had continued to enjoy a fair proportion of government largesse.
According to her, the state governor, Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru had demonstrated love through allocation of political offices to many Afikpo sons and daughters, among other goodies.
She later met with the royal fathers from Afikpo community in the palace of Ezeogo Idam Bassey Onya, the Ekuma Ubaghala 111 of Amasiri autonomous community.
