Ebony State: Militants Attacks Ezza Community, Burn houses

Gunmen suspected to be militants have attacked the Ezza community in Ebonyi State, burning many houses.

A resident of the community who spoke on the condition of anonymity disclosed that the attack was carried out in the early hours of Monday.

The lingering communal conflict in the state between the people of Effium and Ezza Effium has been violent, resulting in killings and destruction of property.

There are claims that the attack which was carried out on Monday was a reprisal to an attack on Nwekendiagu village in Effium last Thursday.

It is believed that the crisis was fuelled by a leadership tussle at the area’s branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, involving old and new executives.

The gunmen in the early hours of Thursday killed at least 15 persons and burning over 200 houses, including a fuel station located in the area.

According to Igbere Television, a resident of the area that fled from the village due to the crisis accused the Effium warriors of carrying out the attack.

He said, “Yes, the Effiumite warriors attacked a village called Nwekendiagu and killed more than 15 persons and burnt more than 200 houses including fuel station.”

The state Governor, David Umahi, had vowed not to release the stakeholders until peace returns to the community and they promise to ensure peace returns.

The stakeholder following their release had returned to their communities to preach peace, but their statement had been to no effect.