- The Ebonyi state governor Dave Umahi, lamented that the border dispute between Ebonyi and Cross River states was very disturbing
- The governor stated that several indigenes of Ebonyi living in the border area had been slaughtered, with houses burnt down
- Umahi appealed to the chief of army staff Tukur Buratai, to deploy more soldiers to the volatile area to enforce peace between both states
Dave Umahi, the governor of Ebonyi state has sounded the alarm over a looming war between his state and Cross River.
According to reports, the governor made his comments during the commissioning of an Urban Treatment Plant at the Nigerian Army’s 82nd division in the Abakpa Cantonment on Wednesday July 12.
NAIJ.com gathers that Umahi made his comments in the presence of the chief of Army staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, the governor of Enugu state Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and the deputy governor of Anambra state Nkem Okeke, who were also in attendance at the occasion.
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He stated: “We have a very disturbing situation over the boundary dispute with Cross River; be it at Ikwo, Achi, be it at Abakiliki axis, be it at Izzi.
“The stories are quite disturbing.
“But I want to thank you because the GOC has demonstrated that this country is a country that is united in love.
“He has done everything he could in standing with us; shuttling between Abakiliki and Cross River states to see how he could establish peace.
“If nothing is done, it has gotten to a period that it could be seen that as a war between Ebonyi and River states. God forbid; but I am telling you the truth as the chief security officer of Ebonyi State.
“Several of our people have been slaughtered in the area, thousands of houses have been razed down.”
Appealing to the army chief for more soldiers to be deployed to the area, Umahi stated: “Something has to be done.
“It is difficult and disheartening to sit and see our people being slaughtered, houses in thousands being burnt. It is not what we all signed before our people.
“So, I’m appealing for enough soldiers. The little we have, we have positioned them to all these troubled areas.
“So, I appeal to you sir, to do everything you can to assist us. Give us more soldiers to enforce peace between Ebonyi and Cross River states.”
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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that no fewer than 20 people were reportedly killed in Cross River and Ebonyi communities following a clash that occurred at about 4am on Thursday, June 15.
The clash took place between Ofonekom community, in Obubra local government area of Cross Rivers and Izzi in Ebonyi state.
The conflict between the two communities had been recurring over a land dispute.
Watch this NAIJ.com TV video of Ebonyi state
