By CHARLES IWUOHA

The people of Aguonwenkeya Ezza Iyonu Community in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have appealed to Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru to facilitate their return and reintegration into their ancestral settlement following their displacement during the 2008 Ezza/Ezillo crisis.

The appeal was conveyed in a letter dated March 9, 2026, written by the community’s solicitor, Sampson Ekigbo of His Goodness Chambers, on behalf of representatives of the community.

In the letter addressed to Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, the lawyer urged the state government to urgently intervene in what he described as the prolonged displacement of residents of the community for more about 18 years.

The petition stated that Aguonwenkeya Ezza Iyonu Community originally settled on a parcel of land known as Mgba Abazi, located between Abam and Abazi streams in the Ishielu area.

According to a petition sent to the state government, the land known as Mgba Abazi was historically granted to Ezza settlers by the Iyionu community many decades ago.

The petition explained that Ezza warriors were invited to defend the Iyionu people from external attackers in the past.

After the threat was repelled, the Iyionu elders reportedly allowed the warriors to settle permanently on the land.

The arrangement was first sealed through traditional oaths and later formalized in a written deed on May 2, 1967, a copy of which was attached to the petition.

The agreement, the lawyer said, granted the Ezza settlers the right to live, farm, build and develop the land jointly with the grantors.

The community reportedly developed with the establishment of a primary school, churches and markets including St. Anastasia Catholic Church, Assemblies of God Church, Methodist Church, Anglican Church, Nweke Ndegu Market and Nwankwo Market.

However, the letter stated that the community was displaced in 2008 following the outbreak of the Ezza/Ezillo communal crisis.

“Aguonwenkeya Ezza Iyionu became a victim of circumstance due to the fact that they are of Ezza Extraction as the Ezillo warlords invaded the community with sophisticated weapons and senselessly killed several persons.

“Some of those killed include Sunday Martin, Chukwuma Nwali, Sunday Nwankwo, Nwafor Chukwu and Nwali Ngwuta”, Mr Ekigbo said.

The petition alleged that armed attackers invaded the area, leading to the death of several residents and forcing others to flee to neighbouring communities including Azuinyaba and Ogbagu Ezza Iyionu.

Ekigbo further alleged that after residents fled, properties including vehicles, motorcycles, cassava grinding machines and livestock were looted, while some parts of the deserted community were later used for mining and quarrying activities.

He said the excavation allegedly caused environmental damage that destroyed several houses and left parts of the community submerged.

The lawyer noted that the displaced residents had written several petitions to past administrations seeking intervention.

He also claimed that a government delegation visited the disputed area on January 12, 2024, without the knowledge of representatives of the Aguonwenkeya community.

In the appeal to the governor, the community requested a government assessment of the affected area.

They also prayed the state government for official recognition and accommodation of Aguonwenkeya Ezza Iyionu Community in the proposed land demarcation between Iyionu and Ezillo Communities to enable the people return peacefully to an actual home.

The people are also seeking for adequate reintegration, rehabilitation and compensation to enable them fully settle and pick their life up from the trauma they experienced for more about 18 years.

The letter expressed hope that the peace initiatives of the Nwifuru administration would help address the situation and enable the affected residents return to their homes.

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