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From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
After nearly 20 years of displacement, homelessness and communal bloodshed, there is finally hope for the people of Ebijaghara in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The Cross River State Government has vowed to end the protracted communal crisis between Ebom and Ebijaghara communities and facilitate the return of Ebijaghara people to their ancestral homes.
Deputy Governor and Chairman of the State Boundary Committee (SBC), Peter Odey, gave the assurance during a high-level meeting with community leaders and security stakeholders at his office.
Odey said the crisis has lasted for too long and the time has come to find a permanent roadmap to peace.
“The Ebom-Ebijaghara crisis has been going on for far too long, and we want to find a roadmap to peace in this area,” he declared.
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Odey disclosed that the government will be guided by a reviewed version of the Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba-led committee report and its White Paper set up by the previous administration to resolve the dispute.
He lamented the heavy toll of the crisis — lives lost and property worth millions of naira destroyed — stressing that while government cannot bring back the dead, it is determined to stop further casualties.
He said Governor Bassey Otu’s administration has already started implementing part of the recommendations, including the ongoing construction of the Bahumono road network, adding that more efforts will be made to ensure displaced Ebijaghara residents return and live peacefully with their Ebom neighbours.
Odey appealed to both communities to make sacrifices for peace, reminding them that they are brothers bound by shared ancestry and culture.
Senior State Security Adviser, Maj Gen Obono Ubi (retd), said the meeting was convened because of the nearly 20-year displacement of Ebijaghara people from their ancestral homes following the crisis.
On their part, Chairman of Abi LGA, Hon Chief Egbala Bassey, Member representing Abi State Constituency, Rt Hon Davies Ettah, and Chairman of the Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM (Ovai) Elder Solomon Osim Edward, lauded the state government for its proactive approach and pledged support for its peacebuilding and rehabilitation efforts.
