The Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi, has called for Federal Government intervention in settling the hostilities between the people of Azuofia Idda in Izzi Local Government Area of the state and Ohene in Cross River State.

He made the call when the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Enugu, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Abubakar, briefed him on the outcome of the surveillance of the two communities at the Government House, Abakaliki on Saturday evening.

Umahi, who noted that lingering boundary dispute between the two communities required action and commitment of the Federal Government and the two states, advocated security meeting where the military commanders of both states and heads of other security agencies would be in attendance.

He said: “The problem between Cross River and Ebonyi is quite known and unfortunately, the problem of boundary in our country is quite funny. Nobody is really taking any definite action.

“I believe strongly that we need political will; we need commitment to solve the problem. I will plead that since the Cross River Command is also under you (GOC), let’s have an interaction between the two Commanders as quickly as possible. The same thing with the police. I will speak with the IG about it.”

While the Governor promised to visit the area to know the extent of destruction and how to provide social amenities for the people, he said that a police post would be established in the Ebonyi axis of the border.

Umahi, according a statement on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya, enjoined the Cross River State government to do the same in order to protect lives and property in the areas.

He said: “I believe strongly that by Tuesday, I will visit there with security chiefs from Ebonyi State and look at the lack of government presence and see what and what we can put in place to show government presence in that area.

“Let’s see what we can do for a Police post to be there immediately. I believe strongly that Cross River should do the same thing.”

The Governor commended Acting President Yemi Osinbanjo and the GOC as well as the security chiefs in the state for their timely intervention, which brought the situation under control.

Anya’s statement also quoted Umahi as saying: “I want to thank the acting President. I spoke with him about the situation and immediately he told me he was going to contact the security chiefs and they all spoke with me later. I also thank you (GOC). We are happy with the quick response. I must also commend our commander here in Ebonyi State; Commissioner of Police and heads of other security agencies in this state. They did a brilliant job. If not for their intervention, things would have been worse.”

The Governor, who reiterated his commitment to maintain peace in the area, warned against further attacks by the people.

He said: “I want to also assure you that we will do everything possible to maintain peace in the area. We have to do everything by way of security report from the Commander there to warn the people because any little more push can escalate to war and the two states will not be good examples for Nigeria.”

He also appealed to the GOC to visit Ikwo Adadama axis and Iyala Igbeagu where such crisis has taken place.

Earlier, the GOC said he led the team to the communities and had meetings with the traditional rulers and the youth.

He explained that calm had returned to the area and promised that the perpetrators of the violence would be fished out and punished accordingly.

•Photo shows Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State (left) being briefed by Maj.-Gen. Adamu Abubakar, the General Officer Commanding the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, on his assessment of the boundary violence between the people of Azuofia Idda in Izzi Local Government Area of the state and Ohene in Cross River State, at the Government House, Abakaliki, on Saturday.

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