Ezza-Effium war worsens as Ebonyi indigenes flee to Benue

Some indigenes of Ezza and Ezza-Effium in Effium community of Ebonyi State have run to some communities in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State as refugees.

Recall that the Ebonyi community located in Ohaukwu Local Government Area has been enmeshed in leadership crisis.

Chairman of Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, James Oche, who alerted journalists, said the influx of people from the neighbouring Ebonyi State had heightened tension in the host communities of Benue State.

Oche, who spoke through the Supervisory Councillor for Education, Youths and Sports in the council, Attah Ede, said the displaced persons were predominantly women and children as well as young adults, whose houses were destroyed as a result of the mayhem.

He mentioned the communities where the Ebonyi displaced persons were taking refuge to include Inikiri, Odeke and Udabasi, all in Ado LGA.

Ede said, “Since the arrival of the migrants, there has been apprehension across communities hosting them.”

He added that the council had already alerted security agents, including troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, who he said, had been deployed in the area to avert any possible breakdown of law and order in and around the host communities.

“We are fully aware of the influx of people from our neighboring communities of Ebonyi State due to the ongoing communal clash between Effium and Ezza-Effium.

“We are appealing to both state and federal governments to deploy more security personnel in Ado LGA to tackle the incessant security situation in the area,” he added.