Ezza vs Effium: Senator Moro reacts as communal clash claims 15 Benue, Ebonyi residents

The Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, Comrade Abba Patrick Moro, Wednesday, on the floor of the Senate, moved a Motion on the lingering crisis between Ezza community in Ado LGA of Benue State, and Effium community, in Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State.

The crisis between the two communities has persisted for long and claimed lives and properties worth millions of naira.

Senator Moro, in the Motion titled, ‘INCESSANT BLOODY CLASHES BETWEEN BORDERING COMMUNITIES OF BENUE AND EBONYI STATES: URGENT NEED FOR SENATE INTERVENTION’, among other things, urged the Senate to impress it on the Federal Ministry of Defense, the Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant security agencies to, as a matter of urgency, mobilise a security base at the boundaries between the two States to keep the peace.

The Motion reads;

“INCESSANT BLOODY CLASHES BETWEEN BORDERING COMMUNITIES OF BENUE AND EBONYI STATES: URGENT NEED FOR SENATE INTERVENTION.

“The Senate,

“Notes with utmost importance that human existence on planet earth is primarily hinged to life and respecting, protecting and placing value on the sanctity of human life is the only sure way for humankind to continue to exist. This is why the Constitution of every Nation, Nigeria inclusive, makes it clear that everyone has a right to life and no one has such right to take the life of another or even attempt to take his own life.

“Notes further, that the essence of life is to live and let live and societal living is possible only when there is communal harmony and feeling of brotherhood among members of the Community.

“Sadly, the principle of shared polyphony and feeling of comradeship no longer exist between the bordering Communities of Ezza in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State and Effium in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State following ceaseless Communal clashes between the duo which always lead to killing of one another and destruction of valuables and means of livelihood worth hundreds of millions.

“Recall regrettably that a petition on this same crisis was laid through me in this Hallowed House on May 5, 2021 and in furtherance to that, my good friend and Colleague, Sen. Sam Egwu of Ebonyi North Senatorial District and I, together, pleaded with our Constituents to sheath their swords and embrace peace, yet the people have refused to bid a farewell to arms and the crisis still lingers.

“Sadly again, not less than 53 people on both sides have lost their lives in the recent clashes between the Ezza and Effium people of Benue and Ebonyi States.

“Painfully, the crisis again started in the night and spilled into a better part of the next day as houses of the Ezza people of Ado Local Government Area of Benue State were set ablaze in the night, leading to death of many Ezzas in their sleep and it doesn’t look like the incessant attacks on the peace- loving people of Ezza is coming to an end any time soon if urgent steps are not taken to permanently halt the ugly perennial mayhem suffered by the Ezza people in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State.

“SENATE ACCORDINGLY RESOLVES TO:

“1. Urge the Federal Ministry of Defense, the Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant security agencies to, as a matter of urgency mobilise a security base to the boundaries between Benue and Ebonyi States to keep the peace.

“2. Urge the National Boundary Commission to exercise its powers as enshrined under Section 7 of the National Boundary Commission Act, to define and deliminate boundaries between the Ezzas and Effiums in accordance with the delimination instrument or document established for that purpose so as to bring to a final end the boundary issues between the two Communities.

“3. Urge the National Emergency Management Agency to quickly mobilise relief and rehabilitation materials to families of victims and displaced Ezzas in the recent attack.