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From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
Normalcy is gradually returning to Ihetutu village, Ishiagu community in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, following the commencement of a peace and reconciliation process initiated by a firm, Ambertone Logistics, in the aftermath of the tragic killings of two youths in the area by suspected soldiers.
The development follows a series of engagements with community leaders, bereaved families, and other stakeholders, including condolence visits by representatives of the company to the families of the deceased youths.
The deceased identified as Chibuike Elema, 18, and Obinna Gideon Akandu, 20, were reportedly shot dead at a location faraway from the mining site, operated by Zotmann Mining Company by suspected soldiers, which caused tension in the community.
The youths were allegedly shot dead after they allegedly refused to give money to the suspected soldiers for security purposes, according to accounts provided by their families and community leaders.
Military sources said the suspects are currently in the custody of the Nigerian military as investigations are on to unravel the circumstances that led to the death of the two youths.
Ambertone Logistics Limited has initiated a peace move geared towards bringing peace and harmony within the affected families and normalcy in Ihetutu community as a whole.
The move opened up critical dialogue between the mining company and the deceased’s families, who are now feeling consoled and with the understanding that no meaningful development can thrive in an atmosphere of chaos and disaffection.
Elder Ukachukwu Josel, uncle to late ChibuiKe, commended the efforts of the company towards fostering peace and stability in Ihetutu community, which, according to him, has given the affected families a sense of belonging and the need for restoration of peace at all levels.
He said: “For my own family, we talked to the company and discovered that no amount of fighting that we will do now will bring back our brother. Even though we fight till next year, that will not bring back our late brother.
“There’s nothing we will do that will bring back our brother. We want the company to meet with Ivo Local Government Area chairman, the Commissioner of Police, so that we can get the body of our brother for burial, so that we can think about another thing.
“The mother of the deceased has been crying every night. She is not even sleeping. We want to bury the boy, so that we can move on. We can’t fight anybody. The other thing will be left for the government to handle. We are sure that nobody sent anybody to go and kill. The person that killed it is left for him and God. That’s all I can tell you.
“The company has come. They came with the Chief Security Officer of Ishiagu town development union, Yaradua. We have talked together, and as soon as they can talk to the LG chairman, we can now get the corpse of our son for burial,” he added.
Also, the Chairman, Ivo Local Government Area, Hon. Michael Anyim, explained that peace has gradually returned to the affected community as the Council area of Ivo is on top of the situation.
