RISING EFFIUM-EZZA CONFLICT: STAKEHOLDERS PUSH FOR FASTER BORDER DEMARCATION AND INCREASED SECURITY
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By: Fasasi Hammad
In response to rising violence along the Ebonyi–Benue border, senior government officials, community leaders, and development coordinators held an emergency peace and security summit led by CP Adaku Uche-Anya, Commissioner of Police for Ebonyi State.
The meeting followed the recent killing of at least 11 people in a cross-border attack linked to the ongoing Effium–Ezza conflict.
Held Tuesday at Police Headquarters in Abakaliki, the high-level summit gathered representatives from affected communities, security agencies, and state authorities to develop strategies aimed at preventing retaliatory attacks, curbing communal unrest, and stabilising the vulnerable border region.
Security reports at the summit indicated that the fatalities occurred in parts of Benue State, with multiple homes and properties destroyed during what appeared to be a coordinated incursion. Preliminary intelligence suggested that the attackers may have come from the Akparata axis in Effium, although the incident occurred outside Ebonyi State’s jurisdiction.
Chief Chinedu Awo, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Power and Energy, reaffirmed the Ezza community’s commitment to the government-brokered ceasefire, noting ongoing consultations at both grassroots and leadership levels. “We remain committed to peace. Our communities are following the directive, and updates will continue to be communicated to security authorities,” he stated.
The summit also addressed delays in the geographical demarcation of newly created autonomous communities from the former Effium territory. CP Uche-Anya assured stakeholders that the issue would be escalated to relevant government bodies to accelerate resolution.
Mr. Moses Ogalegu, Coordinator of Effium South Development Centre, highlighted institutional measures introduced since his appointment, including routine security briefings, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with military and civil defence units. He praised Governor Francis Nwifuru for initiating the administrative demarcation process, describing it as essential for long-term peace and sustainable separation.
Prince James Agena, President-General of Effium Community, described the summit as constructive and conciliatory, stressing the importance of peaceful coexistence. He urged urgent implementation of the demarcation gazette and warned against destabilising influences from diaspora actors and social media misinformation. He also pointed out opportunistic criminal activities, including looting and illegal felling of economic trees, which occur in the absence of clearly defined boundaries.
Similarly, Mr. Monday Eze, President-General of Alioma Autonomous Community, acknowledged the Commissioner’s proactive steps but noted that incomplete demarcation remains at the root of the crisis. He called on the government to establish clear timelines for relocation and resettlement and advocated for a stronger security presence along the border.
High Chief Igboke Emmanuel, leader of the Ezza people in Ezekuna-Alioma Autonomous Community, reaffirmed his community’s adherence to the ceasefire but expressed concern over targeted attacks, citing incidents such as a beheading last year. He noted that, although security agencies are reportedly aware of the perpetrators, no arrests have been made.
Summit participants collectively proposed three key measures to stabilise the region: accelerate completion of demarcation exercises, increase deployment of police, military, and civil defence personnel, and thoroughly investigate and prosecute perpetrators and alleged sponsors.
While relative calm has been observed in recent months, including political and social activities in Effium, the recent cross-border fatalities highlight the fragility of the situation.
Stakeholders stressed that restraint, coordinated institutional action, and decisive security enforcement are essential to preventing another cycle of communal violence in one of southeastern Nigeria’s most sensitive conflict zones.
With security agencies now on high alert, the focus has shifted to operationalising demarcation timelines, intelligence-led enforcement, and inter-state cooperation between Ebonyi and Benue authorities.
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