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.
