Ebonyi State is at the center of a growing crisis, as warlords from Effium, in Ohaukwu Local Government Area (LGA), have been accused of launching a deadly attack on the Ezza-Ezekuna community in neighboring Benue State. Last Thursday, four prominent members of the community were reportedly killed in a violent assault that has sparked fears of widespread destruction in the region.
The Ezza-Ezekuna people have voiced their outrage in a Save Our Soul (SOS) letter sent to Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, urging the state government to intervene and prevent further bloodshed. The letter, dated December 13, 2024, also reached key local and state officials, including the Chairman of Ado LGA, the Special Adviser on Security, and the Commissioner of Police.
Lady Perpetual Nkechi Okafor, President General of the Ezza-Ezekuna Benue Development Association (EEBDA), expressed deep concern over the situation. She explained that the relentless attacks by Effium warlords from Ebonyi State have left the people of Ezza-Ezekuna in a constant state of fear, with markets, farms, and schools all abandoned due to the ongoing violence.
The attack on December 12, 2024, took place in Azaoke, near Apa Ogbozu, in Ado LGA, Benue State, where the assailants, identified as warlords from Akparata in Ebonyi State, launched an unprovoked assault on the community. This assault follows a long-standing conflict between the Ezza and Effium people, which began in Effium, Ebonyi State, and has spilled over into Benue State. The killing of four community members exacerbates an already dire situation, as the violence has intensified in recent years, with no end in sight.
Lady Okafor highlighted that the killings are not happening in secret or at night but in broad daylight, further instilling terror among the Ezza-Ezekuna people. She expressed grave concern that unless swift action is taken, the situation could deteriorate further, resulting in more deaths and widespread insecurity.
She also criticized the continued failure of peace efforts between the Effium and Ezza communities, despite ongoing attempts by the Benue State Government to mediate. She called on Governor Alia to work closely with his counterpart in Ebonyi State to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent more bloodshed. The community is desperate for intervention, as they see no other option but to seek protection within Benue State.
Lady Okafor concluded the letter by stressing that the situation is untenable, with the Ezza-Ezekuna community facing an existential threat from the Effium warlords. She pleaded for immediate action to restore peace and security in the region, warning that failure to do so could lead to catastrophic consequences for both Benue and Ebonyi states.
