The Ebonyi State government will on Thursday commence the conclusive demarcation of disputed territories between the warring Effium and Ezza-Effium communities in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, marking a critical step toward resolving a three-year conflict that has claimed numerous lives and destroyed property worth billions of naira.
Governor Francis Nwifuru announced the move during a Sunday service at the Government House Chapel in Abakaliki, outlining measures to enforce the state’s white paper on the crisis. The decision follows the recommendations of a peace committee inaugurated by the governor to address the root causes of the violence, which erupted in 2021 and defied resolution under former Governor David Umahi’s administration.
Key initiatives set for Thursday include the signing of a bill to establish autonomous communities in Effium and the flag-off of a boundary road construction project designed to physically separate the feuding clans. The first autonomous community, Alioma, will be designated for the Ezza-Effium people, affirming their ancestral rights to the land.
“By 10 a.m., we will assent to the bill into law, and by 1 p.m., we will be in Effium to commence the demarcation road construction,” Nwifuru stated. “The Ezza-Effium people are not visitors here; they have every right to live on their forefathers’ land and govern their own community with a traditional ruler, as others do.”
The governor warned against sabotage, vowing to “deal decisively” with individuals or groups undermining peace efforts. He emphasized impartiality, stating, “We are not taking sides but upholding justice and the rights of all parties to coexist.”
The demarcation process aims to end years of territorial disputes, foster reconciliation, and restore stability to the region. It reflects the state’s broader strategy to institutionalize autonomy and equitable resource-sharing while deterring future conflicts through clear geographical and administrative boundaries.
