EBONYI, Nigeria – Tensions escalated in the crisis-torn Effium community in Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi State over the weekend as hoodlums razed a police station to the ground.
This latest incident highlights the persistent conflict between the Effium and Ezza Effium people, which has led to thousands being rendered homeless and hundreds of lives lost over the past three years.
The Ebonyi State Government has tried to maintain peace in the community by stationing a joint team of security agencies.
However, the conflict has continued, with sporadic fighting still breaking out between the two groups. The attack on the police station marked a significant escalation in the ongoing crisis.
Ebonyi police spokesperson Onome Onovwakpoyeya confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, May 7, 2023, denying reports that the police stationed in the area ran out of ammunition to counter the attacks.
Onovwakpoyeya said, “The Ezza warriors attacked the Effium communities but were repelled by the security agencies.”
She added that despite the destruction of the police station, no casualties or loss of arms and ammunition occurred.
“For the past three consecutive days, the Ezza warriors have launched an attack on Effium community and the security forces stationed in the zone. The forces had repelled them, but in the ensuing gun duel, the colonial building used as a police station was razed down,” she added.
Reinforcements, including arms, ammunition, and a gun truck, have been sent to the area. Onovwakpoyeya reported that the situation is now calm, but the Commissioner of Police for Ebonyi State Command, CP Faleye S. Olaleye, warned the aggressors to lay down their arms or face the full wrath of the law.
As the conflict continues to disrupt the lives of those in the Effium community, the government and security forces must find a way to broker lasting peace between the two factions to prevent further casualties and destruction.
