From Chijioke Agwu, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru, yesterday, expressed dismay over the reported disappearance of a military officer in Effium community of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state.
Effium community had been embroiled in an intra communal dispute since January 2021.
The military officer was among the officers sent to maintain peace in the troubled community. He was reportedly kidnapped, recently, by warlords in the community.
Speaking, yesterday, the governor threatened to dissolve a committee set up by his government to restore peace in the community, if the officer was not released.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Monday Uzor, in a statement, said: “The Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has received, with utmost shock and dismay, the report that one of the soldiers on peace keeping mission at the Akparata axis of Effiuim in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, has been declared missing.
“To this end, the governor has warned that if the soldier is not found alive before 12noon tomorrow, 26th October, 2023, government will be left with no option than to declare war against whoever that is involved, be it Effiuim or Ezza Effiuim, and those found culpable will never inhabit the community again.
“Also, the governor has warned that the committee intervening in the crisis will be dissolved if the missing solder is not found before 12noon tomorrow, 26th October, 2023. Finally, the governor has declared that enough is enough”.