COMMUNAL WAR: EBONYI STATE GOVERNMENT RENEWS CALL FOR BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT WITH NEIGHOURING CROSS RIVER STATE.

Ebonyi State Government has renewed call on the Federal Government to delineate the disputed boundary between the state and its neighboring Cross River State to restore permanent peace among communities living within the axis.

This followed renewed hostilities between the people of gbeagu in Izzi Local Government Area and Ukele community in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State. Briefing journalits after a closed door security meeting chaired by Governor David Umahi at Government House Abakaliki, the State Commissioner for Border Peace and Internal Security, Dr. Kenneth Ugbala, lamented that nothing much had been done despite last year’s visits by both the Minister of Interior and officials of National Boundary Commission to the disputed areas.

Dr. Ugbala said, as part of measures to de-escalate the renewed hostility, Ebonyi State Government had placed all elected and political appointees from Igbeagu community, including the State Coordinator of FADAMA programmes, the state Auditor General and the Traditional Ruler of the area on suspension.

The Commissioner added that Governor Umahi would visit the community to ascertain the level of destruction while situation in the camp of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) would be reviewed to prevent humanitarian crisis.

AMECHI ODO