Leaders of Effium community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have debunked the alleged missing of six persons along Ebonyi-Benue boundary in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State. 

A statement signed by the Secretary-General of Effium Community Town Union, Amos Akpa, called on security agencies to investigate the matter in order to bring the perpetrators to book.

It would be recalled that this is not the first time that persons who are unconnected to Effium/Ezza-Effium crisis have been killed by suspected warlords. 

“We wish to express our dismay over a publication by Daily Post Nigeria Metro newspaper of June 2 in which Chief Okebili Nwoka alleged that six persons are missing along Ebonyi-Benue boundary community and that the victims have been traced to Akparata village where they were suspected to have been seized by Effium warlords who have been engaged in a communal crisis with Ezza people. 

“Ordinarily and in line with our avowed peaceful disposition, we would not have wasted our precious time to respond to this fake and unsubstantiated news but because of its sensitive nature and capability to mislead the public.

“We wish to state in clear terms that Effium people in Akparata are innocent of this barbaric act and the unfounded allegation that the victims were seized by Effium warlords is baseless, weighty, unfortunate and obviously laughable.

“This is a sinister mission taken too far and we consider it a desperate attempt to once again cause disaffection between Effium people and their Izzi brothers having failed in previous attempts. 

“The public should be aware that mischief makers and unfortunate money bags who have been bankrolling the Ezzas in waging war against Effium people are at it again.

“It is on record that the initial information from the Coordinator of Effium Development Centre, Mr Ogbonna points to the fact that the victims were traced to Odum village in Benue State and not Akparata. Bringing Akparata village into the picture is an afterthought and a collective conspiracy of the highest order.

“Once again, we wish to state that Akparata people are not aware of the missing persons, we therefore call on security agencies to bring the perpetrators of this dastardly act to justice. In the same vein, Chief Okebili Nwoka should be thoroughly investigated for complicity,” the statement said. 

It would be recalled that six persons were allegedly missing at Ebonyi-Benue boundary community in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State.

A community leader, Chief Okebili Nwokwa had alleged that six family members went missing when they visited some Fulani herders at the boundary community to buy cow for the burial of their late in-law.

Nwokwa identified the victims as Obinna Ajah, Aloysius Ajah, Titus Nwogha, Friday Nwuzu, Emeka Okwor, and Anthony Ibina, who are both from Onuebor-Nomeh.

From Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki

Ebonyi State Auditor-General, Dr Samuel Udu said the importance of audit is to ensure accountability, probity and good governance.

Udu made this known at the USAID State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness (State2State) one-day workshop, stating that audit findings are not for witch hunting, but to put the records straight. 

The auditor-general, who said that his office had done a lot to ensure this is successful, added that they have handed over the report to the House of Assembly through the Public Accounts Committee. 

He thanked State2State Activity which helped tremendously in preparing the audit manual. 

“The USAID State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness activities is all about how to develop, launch and implement plans to address priority audit findings in Ebonyi State.” 

Delivering a speech at the workshop, Public Financial Management Specialist of State2State Activity, Mr Chibueze Nwonye noted that the audit findings is a key interest to the group, especially in the education, health, water, sanitation and hygiene sectors. 

He maintained that the findings and recommendations would be beneficial in the implementation of the current budget which would lead to proper service delivery. 

A communication specialist, Nneka Egbuna presented communication strategies to address the audit findings.

The Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts, Godwin Abiri thanked State2State Activity for its involvement in improving government’s ability to plan and budget, monitor the budget and be accountable for every item budgeted. 

He said Ebonyi State has benefited from the intervention, most importantly, the Public Accounts Department and assured the team that the committee would make good use of the knowledge gained during the exercise.