Metro

111 Years After, Two Warring Ebonyi Communities Sign Ceasefire Agreement, Peace Pact

Published

2 years ago

September 5, 2023

Relative peace is said to have returned to the troubled communities of Abomege and Ishinkwo communities of Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Recall that the two affected communities had been enmeshed in the tussle for land ownership within the LGA, which has over time led to death and destruction of properties of the members of the affected communities.

These ugly developments were evident during the administration of former Governor Sam Egwu, Martin Elechi and David Umahi of the State.

But in a bid to lay to rest the over 111 years crisis in the Area, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru approved the setting up of a Peace Committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the crisis between Abomege and Ishinkwo communities in Ebonyi State.

The Committee led by His Royal Highness Ezeogo Ewa Elechi successfully interfaced with stakeholders from Abomege and Ishinkwo communities at different occasions as joint meetings of the affected community leaders and stakeholders took place, where each party had opportunities to hear the narrative of the other.

According to the Secretary of the Peace Committee, Prof Wilberforce Oti, a physical visit to the warring communities took place on 18th August 2023 and during the visit, the Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Hon Donatus Ilang appealed to communities to give peace a chance.

Also, a member of the Peace Committee, Bishop Lawson Elom commended the efforts of the Governor to inaugurate a high-powered committee made up of men of integrity, credibility and character and the need for everyone to cooperate with the committee to achieve a lasting peace.

Rev. Fr Marcel Ezenwa, another member of the Peace Committee reminded the people that war remains costly, hence whatever sacrifice that people needed to make to achieve peace was worth the while.

This is even as the Secretary of the Peace Committee, Prof Wilberforce Oti appealed to the people not to miss the opportunity presented to them to achieve peace, which other past committees couldn’t achieve.

Responding, the leaders and stakeholders of the two communities expressed their confidence in the integrity of the members of the Peace Committee and also their willingness to cooperate with the committee to provide a lasting peace in the troubled communities.

This was followed by a Ceasefire Agreement and Peace Accord signed by leaders and stakeholders of Abomege and Ishinkwo on 22nd August, 2023.

The Abomege delegates led by Comrade Ogbuagu Uchenna, the President General of the Town Union, and Ishinkwo delegates led by His Royal Highness J. Nnanna Ikegwu Obinire 1 Of Ishinkwo both made commitments to ensure the reign of peace in their Communities.

The Chairman of the Peace Committee, HRH Ezeogo Ewa Elechi explained that with the efforts made so far by members of the committee, including the cooperation of the Abomege and Ishinkwo communities, there was every indication that the crisis which has lasted since 1912 and claimed many lives and properties, was about to become a history as both sides of the divide had seen the need to live in peace.

Metro

Truck Crushes Man Rushing For Jumu’ah Prayers In Rivers

Published

1 hour ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

A trailer loaded with goods has crushed a Muslim faithful rushing for Friday prayers to death in Port Harcourt.

According to Vanguard, the tragic incident happened on the ever-busy Nkpolu junction axis of the East-West road, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, around 2:05 pm.

It was gathered that the victim was crossing the busy road when a black SUV on speed knocked him down and that the truck, which was on high speed, crushed him to death.

A source, who witnessed the incident, narrated that the young man was behind some of his Muslim brothers, who were also going for the Friday prayers, when the incident happened.

The source, who gave his name simply as Tunde, said the other worshipers had crossed, but that the victim, who did not observe the traffic very well before entering the road, was knocked down by the vehicle.

The source said that when the SUV brought him down, a trailer that was on the speed lane ran over him, dismembering the body beyond recognition.

However, the Muslim faithful who were with him took over the highway in protest until police operatives arrived at the scene.

Meanwhile, the police restored normalcy while the protesting Muslims took the remains for burial.

Metro

Three Killed As Suspected Bandits Ambush Motorists In Kwara

Published

11 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits have allegedly launched a deadly attack on motorists along the Rore and Aranorin communities in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, leaving at least three people dead.

The incident, which occurred on Thursday, threw residents and travellers into a state of panic as news of the killings spread across the area.

In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, the victims were seen lying lifeless on the roadside, their bodies partially covered with clothing and leaves by sympathisers who arrived at the scene after the attackers had fled.

Eyewitnesses told SaharaReporters that the armed men, believed to be operating from hideouts in nearby forests, opened fire on the unsuspecting motorists in what appeared to be a coordinated ambush.

It remains unclear whether the attackers also abducted any victims during the assault, as details were still emerging as of Friday morning.

The attack is the latest in a growing wave of violence that has gripped Kwara State’s Ifelodun and Irepodun local government areas in recent months.

Communities such as Babanla, Shegbe, Ologomo, Alabe, and Oreke in Ifelodun Local Government have faced repeated attacks, forcing hundreds of residents to flee their ancestral homes.

Many victims have been kidnapped for ransom, while others have been killed in similar raids.

Residents expressed fears that the violence could escalate further unless urgent security measures are taken.

Some community leaders have called on both the state and federal governments to deploy more security personnel to the affected areas, noting that many villages have been left vulnerable as attacks continue unabated.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kwara State Police Command had yet to release an official statement on the incident.

However, sources indicate that security operatives have been mobilised to the area to prevent further violence and reassure residents.

On August 24, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that hours after Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq visited Babanla community in Ifelodun Local Government Area to reassure residents of improved security, suspected bandits abducted two people in the area.

The governor visited the area to reassure residents and restore a sense of security amid ongoing fears of banditry and kidnappings.

However, the criminals struck soon after his departure, highlighting the persistent threat and heightening tension in the community.

The incident reportedly threw residents into fresh panic despite earlier promises of tighter security measures.

Metro

Suspected Amasiri Warriors Invade Ebonyi Community, Behead Farmer Amid Land Dispute

Published

11 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

Tragedy struck on Tuesday, August 26, at Okporojo Idima, Oso Edda in the Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, as armed warriors from neighbouring Amasiri community reportedly invaded the farmland of one Mr. Dike Nnachi, beheaded him, and took his head away as a trophy.

The attack marks a continuation of violent hostilities in the area, coming barely four months after the April invasion in which at least four people, including a pregnant woman and her 12-year-old son, were brutally killed.

That incident also left property worth millions of naira destroyed.

Residents told reporters that the latest killing has deepened fears across Oso Edda, as locals now question the effectiveness of the state government’s ongoing peace efforts.

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, had, through the Ministry of Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, initiated dialogue between warring communities to stem the tide of violence.

However, Tuesday’s bloodshed is seen as a direct challenge to those peace moves.

Community leaders have called for urgent intervention, warning that unless decisive action is taken, the violence could escalate further, leaving more lives and property in jeopardy.

In April, renewed violence broke out over a longstanding land dispute between Ndukwe community in Amasiri, Afikpo Local Government Area, and Okporojo in Edda Local Government Area of the state.

The hostilities left houses and properties worth millions of naira destroyed, as attackers, reportedly from Amasiri, launched assaults on Okporojo.

The worsening security situation forced many residents of Edda to abandon the Amasiri road, opting instead to travel through Afikpo town due to fear of further attacks.

Although previous administrations attempted to resolve the crisis, including the release of a white paper based on a government committee’s recommendations, implementation has reportedly stalled, allowing the conflict to fester and violence to recur.