By Joy Omagha Idam
No fewer than two people have been reported dead during a clash between Amasiri, Ekumaubaghala and the Edda communities in Ebonyi state.
While scores were reportedly injured, others were abducted in the clash, which saw properties worth millions of Naira destroyed.
It was gathered that the latest skirmishes was triggered by controversy over a piece of farmland allegedly owned by the Amasiri community but which Edda people also contested.
Findings revealed that it is the tradition of Amasiri people at the beginning of the farming season to share communal farm lands.
“When the Ndukwe people, one of the five village -groups that make up Amasiri, went for this annual tradition of farmland sharing that they were allegedly attacked by the Edda people at (Oso)” a source said.
Continuing, the source added “but for the combined efforts/intervention of the Ezeogo Ubaghala III, Coordinator, the Traditional Essa Ruling Council/Nde-Ichies which prevented face-to-face confrontation at Oso, it would have worsen”.
Historically, the land in question is Amasiri’s land with border with Ihie, Ndukwe and Ohaechara communities of Amasiri clan.
“Amasiri has never had boundaries with Edda people from Okigwe axis rather they share boundaries with Akeze people, hence its called Okigwe- Amasiri road. Oso is Amasiri land and the Edda people who resides in the land that are now claiming it to be their ancestral land, were hunters from Ekoli and Nguzu Edda who normally come for hunting in Amasiri land and Amasiri forefathers allowed them hunt there” the source added.
It was further gathered that because it was a far distance from Amasiri, the Edda approached Amasiri forefathers for a space to make huts where they can stay for some days and roast their catch before they retire back to their place; Ekoli/Nguzu, a request Amasiri forefathers out of their magnanimity obliged but were paying rent as tenants.
Many court judgement have been cited in the archives that Amasiri won litigation against Edda but the government has been accused of bias, because of alleged interest in Edda.
Indeed, findings further revealed that bigwigs in Edda are allegedly suppressing the matter. The Senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone and the Minister of State for Health are both from Edda.
Speaking with the Chairman Afikpo North Local Government Area, Hon Uchenna Ibiam, via telephone interview he said “we have been able to calm the situation, everything is under Control”.
According to Hon Ibiam, It was a case of “Attack and reprisal attack between Edda and Amasiri people. So far two deaths were recorded, a man was beheaded and an Amasiri woman returning from farm was killed. I personally moved her to the force Hospital at Afikpo but was later transferred to another hospital at Abakaliki, sadly we lost her”.
“There are allegations and counter allegations from both the Amasiri and Edda People. But I can confirm that four Edda people were handed to me by Amasiri and I handed same to the Divisional Police Office at Afikpo. It is also assumed that those abducted by Edda would have been released” he said.
Ibiam added that the State Government is on top of the matter explaining that “The Edda people blocked Oso Road while Amasiri blocked Afikpo Road but we cleared it. Things have returned to normalcy as we speak”.
On the Military presence at Amasiri he explained that they were drafted into Amasiri Tuesday night to maintain law and order, to avoid further chaos.
“Their Presence restored stability. So on the issue of the Military taking sides I did not see it from that angle at all. The military don’t take orders or instructions from the Edda people. They have their Chain of Command and when issues like this occur the Governor can ask for their assistance to restore peace”.
Hon Ibiam however called on Amasiri and Edda people to embrace peace and see each other as one, saying “we belong to the same axis and senatorial zone”.
Meanwhile efforts to get reaction of Senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone, Senator Michael Nnachi failed as he neither returned nor replied three SMS sent to him.
