Sanctions Loom as Ebonyi State Government Moves to End Oso/Amasiri Crisis

By Chinwe Imo-Eze
The Ebonyi State Government has condemned the abduction of individuals in the ongoing crisis between the Oso community in Edda and the Amasiri community in Afikpo local government areas of the state.
Deputy Governor Princess Patricia Onyemaechi Obila said the government would take drastic actions by sanctioning political office holders in the area if the abductees are not released immediately.
She expressed the government’s displeasure over the crisis in a peace meeting held at Afikpo local government council secretariat.
Obila emphasized that the government would not tolerate lawlessness from any community and questioned why land disputes should lead to violence among brothers.
Earlier, Chairman Afikpo Local Government Council, Mr. Timothy Nwachi, condemned the Oso community’s abduction of five individuals, including three from Amasiri and two from Cross River State.
Nwachi warned against the excesses of the youth in the community and asked for the unconditional release of the abductees. Timothy also enjoined the community not to thwart the government’s efforts at peaceful resolution.
On his part, Chairman of Edda Local Government Council, Ekumankama, condemned the attack from the Idima community in Oso and pledged to get to the root of the matter.
The two coordinators from the affected communities, Hon. Baron Ogbonnia and Mrs. Nkama Nkama Ude, restated their commitments to restoring normalcy in the area.
The Deputy Governor also used the occasion to pay a new year visit to the council of elders, emphasizing the government’s resolve to provide basic amenities and necessities to Afikpo people.
She noted that the community has continued to enjoy a fair share of government largesse, including appointments of Afikpo sons and daughters to political offices.