‘Blame Ayade, NBC over Ebonyi, C/River communal clashes’

Youths under the aegis of Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum comprising Ebonyi, Izzi and Abakaliki local government areas of the State yesterday blamed the lingering inter-communal clash between Igbeagu Izzi people in Izzi LGA and Ukele, Yala LGA of Cross River State on the lackadaisically attitude of Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River state and the leadership of the National Boundary Commission (NBC), in the country.

Briefing Journalists in Abakaliki, the President of Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum, Hon. Ben Nwovu who regretted why the crisis would degenerate to the level it is presently condemned the killing of innocent Izzi people in the affected villages in Izzi LGA of the State.

According to him, the displaced persons were suffering because the intervention by the state government to cushion the effect of the crisis was not enough even as he called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to come to the aid of the displaced persons in the state.

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Nwovu further blamed the NBC for not responding to boundary issues in the country, noting that if permanent demarcation had been created since the dispute began in 2005, the land disputes between Ebonyi and Cross River would have been a thing of the past.

“I condemn totally the crisis between Ukele in Cross River State and Igbeagu in Izzi Local Government Areas. I condemn it in the strongest terms, because such crisis should not arise now. Whatever is the matter, both sides should liaise with relevant authorities to resolve their differences.

“As the President of the clan, I have gone to my people and they have assured me that they will not go for a reprisal attack. But it has become obvious that the people of Ukele cannot allow our people to sleep with their two eyes closed.

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“I am calling on National Boundary Commission, NBC, to come and adjust the boundary. They are the one causing the problem. If they had created permanent boundary between these two communities, the crisis would have been a thing of the past.“

Only yesterday, I heard that the people of Cross River are still having problem with Edda community in Afikpo South Local Government Area. The crisis still boarders on boundary. The boundary Commission should come to the aide of Cross River and Ebonyi State to create a permanent boundary.

“The problem is connected to protracted boundary dispute. The other one is also because there is no permanent boundary. If you go to that place, the people are living almost together.

“At the same time, I am asking the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to come to their intervention to save them from disease and hunger. I know the state government is doing its best, but it is not enough”.