Indigenes of Effium of Ezza Ezekuna extraction in Ebonyi State on Thursday lamented the burning of over 97 houses and indiscriminate arrests by security agencies who regularly invade their communities. .
The said security agencies invaded their communities over the protracted inter-tribal war between Ufiom and Effium Indigenes of Ezza Ezekuna extraction in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebony State.
According to a letter to the President Muhammadu Buhari by the communities, which was signed by their Solicitor and human rights activist, Sampson Ekigbo, dated December 1, 2021, they urged the government to stop wrongful arrest and detention of innocent citizens.
The petitioners alleged that on November 3, 2021, five contractors whose identities were yet to be disclosed were reportedly abducted by unknown gunmen at Effium community.
“Those arrested are yet to be released from detention notwithstanding that, there is no evidence of any sort and/or justification for such arrest, not to talk of detention or their continued detention”, the petitioners added.
Ekigbo said, “On November 5, 2021, the police invaded Nweren Ivo (home of Ezza) burnt over 15 dwelling houses amidst sporadic shooting.
“On November 7, the combined security agents burnt not fewer than 28 dwelling houses belonging to Effium indigenes of Ezza Ezekuna extraction.
“The most anguishing and condemnable part is the incident of November 28, 2020, when officers of the Nigeria police invaded Igbudoke Community amidst sporadic shooting, short three Effium indigenes of Ezza Ezekuna Extraction, looted their estimable properties and burnt not fewer than 38 dwelling houses without reasonable cause.
“Be informed that these unwarranted acts repeated its ugly self on November 29 2021 at Oriuzor, Igbudoke, Omege where over 15 houses and properties worth millions of Naira were lost to inferno at the instance of the combined security agents’ unholy acts.”
The indigenes called on the President to ensure disciplinary actions against erring security agents and any other person involved in the lingering communal war.