From Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State governor, Francis Nwifuru has donated ₦580 million to victims of the recent attack by suspected gunmen at Nkalaha, a boundary community in Ishielu Local Government Area.
The exercise began yesterday at Ishielu Council Headquarters, Ezillo, by the Deputy Governor, Princess Patricia Obila, on behalf of the state government.
Princess Obila described the incident which occured on February 2 as a devastating situation due to the loss of lives and property, saying over N100 million would be disbursed to the victims as a way of cushioning the effect of the ugly tragedy.
She, however, urged the people to continue to support the peace agenda of his administration, anchored on the People’s Charter of Needs and thanked stakeholders and security personnel for their genuine efforts to establishing peace in the community.
According to her, “During our findings, we were able to arrange victims in five segments, 18 deceased victims’ families will get N2 million each, in the second segment is 41 building that were burnt down and owners will collect one million each making it N41 million, four motorcycle owners will take one million making it N4 million,our Fulani brothers also told us that they lost their cows and we are giving them, N20 million and additional N816,000 for recorded cash losses during the attack.”
In her remarks, the Executive Chairman of Ishielu LGA, Mrs. Peace Agwu, described the gesture as unprecedented, noting that the governor’s swift intervention had restored calm to the once troubled community.
“This is a historic moment for Ishielu people. Not all leaders would show such compassion. His Excellency has restored permanent peace in Nkalaha, and our people are back to their farms and businesses,” Agwu said.
The traditional ruler of Nkalaha Autonomous Community, His Royal Highness, Eze Thompson Ebeh linked the attack to reprisals following the killing of a cow in Amegu land, stressing that unidentified gunmen were responsible.
He commended the Department of State Services, DSS, and other security agencies for brokering peace agreements to prevent further violence.
“We cannot match them in strength. The only path is understanding and dialogue to stop a repeat of this tragedy,” the monarch said.
Also, the traditional ruler of Ezillo Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Innocent Okafor, also praised the state government’s intervention, noting that resolving the Fulani herders-farmers crisis required government intervention and lauded governor Nwifuru for the prompt intervention.
On his part, the National Director General of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, Idaddo Sadiq, commended Governor Nwifuru for accommodating non-indigenes and warned against attempts by mischiefmakers to sow discord through social media and pledged the group’s commitment to sustaining peace in the area.
The stakeholders including the chairman of founding fathers forum, Mr Ben Okah, member representing IshieluState Constituency, Mr Arinze Lucas-Chukwu acknowledged that the Nkalaha attack was part of the recurring farmer-herder clashes across Nigeria, which have resulted in loss of lives, destruction of property, and displacement of residents.
They expressed confidence that the state government would sustain peace through dialogue, community engagement, and targeted support for victims and urged the residents of the area to remain lawful and orderly.
Meanwhile, the town union president, Eze Donatus Nnajiogo, prayed for God’s guidance for the governor and appealed for the return of contractors handling the community’s dilapidated road while calling for arrangements to ensure the burial of the 10 victims still in the mortuary.
The ceremony was attended by community leaders, security chiefs, and residents.
