Effium/Ezza crisis almost over, displaced persons to return – Sunny Oche

The Executive Chairman of Ado Local Government, Engr. Sunny Oche, has stated that the lingering crisis between the Effium and Ezza people has been 90 percent resolved.

IDOMA VOICE reports that the crisis, which has been ongoing for years, has claimed many lives and destroyed property worth millions of naira.

Speaking with IDOMA TELEVISION, Oche said they have put security measures in place to ensure a lasting solution to the menace.

The Effium/Ezza crisis has been ongoing since around 2021. Recently, I met with all the chiefs from Ezza in Benue State. We’ve been working to resolve this issue.

And I’m telling you, go and investigate it—it is 95% solved now. What I discussed with them was how they can relocate back to their ancestral homes. The meeting assured them that when they return, there will no longer be invaders from the Effium people. They have also assured me that they are going back to their various homes.

We’ve been able to put security measures in place. This meeting has been ongoing. We have gone to Idele in Oju Local Government to liaise with our brothers and sisters there as well. So today, the problem between the Effium and the Ezza is being tackled, and it is 95% resolved.

That does not mean we don’t have challenges within the borderline of Ebonyi and Benue States. We still have a problem with the Ndobasi people of Izzi. We also have a problem with the people of Ubenyi in Izzi. Today, I have been able to collaborate with Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi of Abakaliki/Izzi.

We are undertaking a major road project from Abakaliki through Mbeke down to Ohalikwe, the neighboring village there. That road will terminate around Ijigban. It will create an access road from here to the eastern part of the country and will surely boost economic activities in that area.

The people are happy now. We are also collaborating on this development by linking a road from Igumale to Ijigban to connect with the Ado Bridge. All these projects are ongoing.