…Assures Travellers, Residents Of Their Safety.
Obinna Uchendu Abakaliki
The Chairman of Ivo Local Government Area, Hon. Ajah Emmanuel Ajah has described as baseless and fabricated the allegation accusing him of masterminding the violent clashers and killings in the local government area of the State.
Chief Ajah who made the disclosure in Abakaliki while briefing journalists efforts made in resolving the lingering crisis said that the viral video circulating on the social media accusing him of spearheading the violent clashes in the area was doctored.
“The allegation of me masterminding the crisis is not just baseless and fabricated. The viral video accusing me of involvement in the crisis was doctored. “I was so surprised to see a video circulating, accusing me of any involvement.
“On seeing the video, I went to Akaeze immediately and didn’t see any dead body. it was later discovered that somebody had cloned the video. I’m innocent of what you are seeing on social media. I don’t support evil; whatever a man sows, he shall reap,” he stated.
“A viral video showing women wailing over killings in the area has been circulating on the social media. The women according to the fake video was accusing me of involvement but it was discovered that the video had earlier circulated on social media before now.
Chief Ajah commended Governor Nwifuru for declaring the disputed area a buffer zone and for also mobilizing security agencies in the State to in and restore peace in the communities.
He called on the people of Umuobor-Akaeze and Ogwor- Ishiagu communities to sheath their swords as the State Government have waded into the crisis and is determined to finding a lasting solution to the conflict.
He said that the dispute dates back to 1967 but expressed the regret that the crisis escalated in recent weeks which resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property.
“What happened is highly condemnable. No piece of land is worth the blood of any human. This land in question that is being dragged is a farm land inside a thick forest. It doesn’t deserve any human lives or heads, This land that is being dragged will not in the next 300 years going to see development.
There has been several efforts made to mediate and ensure peace in the area including setting up a committee comprising stakeholders, security agencies, and community leaders, which initially brought temporary calm but recently, there was a renewed hostilities which disrupted the peace process.
“Despite pleas and agreements reached during our stakeholders meeting in Abakaliki, both sides resumed fighting, leading to arrests in the area. “We quickly sent police to look for every person.
“The Governor has done a good job by declaring that place a buffer zone. Immediately after the Governor made that pronouncement, I mobilized the security agents. We have three checkpoints there now and peace has returned to the place.
“I’m innocent of what you are seeing on social media. Let me appeal once again to the both communities to embrace peace and allow the resolution process to proceed.
He further assured travelers and residents of their safety during the festive season adding that the roads within the local government are highly secure. “There is no problem on the road as far as I’m concerned. We don’t have any issue in Ivo apart from the fight.
