Effium-Ezza crisis: Stakeholders seek accelerated demarcation, enhanced policing amid rising tensions in Ebonyi-Benue border
Emergency Summit Addresses Violence Along Ebonyi–Benue Border
ABAKALIKI, Nigeria — In light of recent violent incidents along the Ebonyi–Benue border, senior government officials, community leaders, and development coordinators convened an emergency peace and security summit on Tuesday, led by Commissioner of Police Adaku Uche-Anya of the Ebonyi State Command.
The gathering was ignited by a particularly brutal cross-border assault that resulted in the deaths of at least 11 individuals, a continuation of the long-standing Effium–Ezza crisis. The summit took place at the Police Headquarters in Abakaliki and aimed to formulate strategies to prevent further retaliatory violence, mitigate communal unrest, and stabilize the vulnerable border area.
During the summit, security briefings indicated that the fatalities occurred in several locations within Benue State, where numerous homes and properties were reportedly destroyed in what witnesses described as a coordinated attack. Preliminary investigations suggest that the attackers may have originated from the Akparata area of Effium, although the incident unfolded beyond the jurisdiction of Ebonyi State.
Chief Chinedu Awo, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Power and Energy, reaffirmed the Ezza bloc’s commitment to a government-brokered ceasefire, stating that ongoing consultations are taking place across both grassroots and leadership levels. “We remain committed to peace. Our communities are adhering to the directive, and feedback will continue to be relayed to security authorities,” Awo said.
The summit also addressed the slow progress of geographical demarcation for newly established autonomous communities within the former Effium territory. CP Uche-Anya assured participants that the issue would be brought to the attention of the relevant government authorities to expedite resolution.
Mr. Moses Ogalegu, Coordinator of the Effium South Development Centre, highlighted institutional measures he has implemented since his appointment, including routine security updates and collaboration with military and civil defense forces. He commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for initiating a critical administrative demarcation process aimed at fostering long-term peace.
Prince James Agena, President-General of Effium Community, called the meeting comprehensive and focused on reconciliation, emphasizing the need for peaceful coexistence. He urged the swift implementation of a demarcation gazette and highlighted issues related to diaspora actors and misinformation that threaten stability. Additionally, he mentioned an increase in opportunistic crimes due to undefined boundaries.
Mr. Monday Eze, President-General of Alioma Autonomous Community, supported the Commissioner’s proactive measures but reiterated that incomplete demarcation is at the core of the ongoing conflict. He urged the government to set definite timelines for the relocation and resettlement of affected communities, as well as to enhance security presence across the region.
High Chief Igboke Emmanuel, leader of the Ezza people in Ezekuna-Alioma Autonomous Community, reaffirmed his community’s commitment to the ceasefire but expressed concern over ongoing targeted attacks, referring to past incidents such as a beheading last year. He noted that despite knowledge of the perpetrators’ identities, no arrests have been made.
Participants proposed three key measures to stabilize the region: expediting the completion of demarcation exercises, increasing the deployment of police and military personnel, and ensuring thorough investigations and prosecutions of those responsible for violence.
While recent months have seen a relative calm, the recent fatalities serve as a reminder of the region’s ongoing volatility. Stakeholders stressed that restraint, institutional coordination, and decisive security action are essential to preventing another cycle of communal violence in one of southeastern Nigeria’s most sensitive conflict zones.
With security agencies alert, the focus is now on operationalizing demarcation timelines, enforcing intelligence-driven security measures, and enhancing inter-state collaboration between Ebonyi and Benue authorities.
