Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has received the interim report of the Amasiri-Edda Boundary Adjustment and Demarcation Committee, insisting that peace and social order must prevail across communities in the state.
The committee was constituted by the governor following the deadly communal clash between Amasiri Community in Afikpo Local Government Area and Oso-Edda in Edda Local Government Area, particularly the attack at Okporojo on February 6.
Receiving the report at his office in Ochoudo Centenary City, Abakaliki, Governor Nwifuru said his administration remained committed to restoring lasting peace in communities across Ebonyi State.
The committee, headed by the State Commissioner for Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Prof. Paul Nwobasi, was mandated to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the conflict and undertake the necessary boundary adjustment and demarcation exercise.
Governor Nwifuru described peace as a prized possession in human society, stressing that communal conflicts and social unrest would have no place under his administration.
“In our administration, we are committed to making peace in all the communities in this state. We are happy people are making sacrifices to support our peace efforts. I thank the committee for identifying the causes of the problem, which I am told has lingered for more than 100 years,” he said.
The governor commended members of the committee for undertaking what he described as a difficult assignment, expressing confidence in the credibility of their findings.
He also dismissed insinuations that the government’s intervention was targeted at any particular clan, saying the administration’s actions were driven solely by the need to restore peace and create an environment for development.
According to him, “Where there’s no peace, there is no development. We are willing to make peace.”
Governor Nwifuru further announced the reinstatement of the traditional rulers of Ndukwe and Amasiri, who were dethroned in connection with the crisis.
He said the government had accepted the interim report and directed that the status quo be maintained pending the completion of the demarcation exercise.
“We hereby accept the report and insist status quo should be maintained as the demarcation exercise is being carried out. None should interfere and trespass on each other’s land,” the governor said.
Earlier, the chairman of the committee, Prof. Nwobasi, said members had held several meetings, interacted with residents and physically inspected the disputed boundary areas in their effort to arrive at accurate findings.
He explained that the committee surveyed the affected areas, prepared sketches and reached preliminary decisions, leading to the presentation of the interim report to the governor.
Prof. Nwobasi commended Governor Nwifuru for what he described as his forthrightness, compassion and thoughtfulness in addressing the Amasiri-Edda crisis, which he described as hydra-headed and intractable.
