Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru has declared the land, the subject of bloody tussle between the people of Umuobor, Akaeze and Ogwor, Ishiagu both in Ivo Local Government Area of the State a buffer zone.
The land tussle between the two neighbors has taken a dangerous twist with lives lost and properties destroyed.
The two neighbouring communities have been at war for over five decades over a fertile land known as Elueke.
The war took a more dangerous dimension with killings on both sides of the feuding communities taking place even along the ever-busy Akaeze/ Ishiagu expressway that links them.
A truck driver from Imo State who was plying Ayaragu axis of the expressway, was killed last weekend by suspected warlords who have been blocking the expressway since the war escalated last three months.
On Wednesday this week, four persons including a man and his son were killed while two decomposing bodies were recovered.
To stem the orgy of killings and revenge killings between the feuding communities, Nwifuru, who expressed his unhappiness at the killings and maiming by the warring communities, declared the land in dispute a buffer zone.
This was contained in a statement signed by Secretary to the State Government, Professor Grace Umezuruike and issued on Thursday (today, December 12).
“His Excellency the Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has observed with serious concern, the lingering crisis between the people of Umobor-Akaeze and Ogwor-Ishiagu in IVO LGA over a piece of land,” the statement read, in part.
“Consequently, the Governor has declared the disputed land a buffer zone and directed both parties to steer clear from the disputed land as anybody found in the land would be made to face the wrath of the law.
“The Governor also directs security agencies to beef up security to ensure full compliance to this directives, and maintain law and order in the area.
“The Governor further invites 20 stakeholders from each of the communities to a crucial meeting on Monday next week.”
