Ebonyi State Governor Frees 159 Detainees in Effium Crisis Amnesty
By Moses Nwite, Abakaliki
The Governor of Ebonyi State Southeast Nigeria, Mr Francis Nwifuru has granted amnesty to 159 persons who have been detained in Nigeria Correctional Service over the communal clash erupted in Effium and Ezza Effium for over 5 years ago.
The Governor granted this at the Nigeria Correctional Center, Ebonyi State Command Abakaliki.
Nwifuru said “the essence of the amnesty is parts of the preparation to return permanent peace in Effium and Ezza Effium.”
Nwifuru said that the part of peace is always paved with difficulties.
“Ebonyi State Government shall take the following measures; demarcation of the boundaries of the land in Effium, the State Government shall demarcate the Effium land into two, Effium people shall occupy the Northeast of Effium Land while Ezza people shall occupy the Northwest part of Effium Land. The Government of Ebonyi State shall acquire the Effium market and the Effium forest shall remain Federal Government forest reserve,” Governor Nwifuru stated.
Former Ebonyi State Governor, Dr. Sam Egwu, blamed the ex-Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government, Omekannaya Oda, and former lawmaker, Chinedu Awo, for causing the war to serve their selfish interests.
“If I have my way, Barrister Omekannaya Oda and former Lawmaker Chinedu Awo should have been incarcerated by now for the pains the caused on the people of Effium and Ezza Effium,” Egwu added.
The State Attorney General and the State Commissioner for Justice, Ben Odo said that all the necessary profiling of the inmates who were granted amnesty are in place to enable them pass through rehabilitation before they would join the society.
The Comptroller of Corrections, Nigeria Correctional Service, Offem Bessie urged the beneficiaries of the amnesty to be of good behavior upon their release.
One of the detainees who benefited from the amnesty, Mr Nwite Ifeanyi promised on behalf of others, to be of good behavior.
Effium and Ezza Effium had been on intra communal war for past five years ago.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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