The Ezza-Ezekuna community in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State has raised alarm over the killings of their people by suspected Effium warlords from the Akparata community of Ebonyi State.
This was disclosed over the weekend by the former Secretary of Ado Local Government Area and President General of the Ezza-Ezekuna Benue Development Association, EEBDA, Perpetual Okafor.
She said the latest attack on the community on Thursday led to the killing of four people by suspected attackers from the Akparata, Effium axis of Ebonyi State.
This was contained in an open letter to the Benue State Governor and other relevant authorities, which was distributed to journalists in Makurdi.
In the letter, the people of the Ezza-Ezekuna community appealed to Governor Hyacinth Alia to liaise with his Ebonyi State counterpart to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice and put an end to the unwarranted killings and incessant attacks on the Ezza people.
Mrs. Okafor, who expressed worry over the situation, said their people are living in fear and can no longer go to markets, farms, or worship centers, while their children have stopped going to school.
“Indeed, this recent cold reality stared us in the face in a rude and shocking manner because there was no recent disagreement between the two communities before the attackers came to carry out their nefarious act.
“It is in this context, and to further forestall a situation where our peaceful community and our LGA will become a killing field or haven, that we are pleading with you to quickly rework the security of the state, particularly to accommodate the areas that are now being threatened by these Effium warlords from Ebonyi State.”
She expressed fear that if nothing is done to stop the killings, the situation could degenerate into a full-blown war.
The Ezza/Effium communal crisis, which started in the Effium community in Ebonyi State, spilled into Ado LGA in Benue State because of the presence of both Ezza and Effium people in the area.
Benue community raises alarm over alleged killings by Ebonyi warlords