by crossriverwatch admin
The Chairman of Abi Local Government Council Hon Mrs Edith Amadi has brokered peace between the warring communities of Ediba and Usumutong in Abi Local Government Area.
Both communities who were recently involved in skirmishes which saw tensions rising in the Bahumono axis of the area were advised to sheathe their swords and embrace peace as violence was inimical to the growth and development of the council area.
Hon. Amadi who in a swift reaction took a peace tour of the communities involved regretted the development while warning that communities that generate crisis in the council area would be left out in her developmental plans for the local government area.
She sued for lasting peace amongst the 10 council wards of Abi, reiterating that it was only a catalyst to the rapid transformation of the local government area which her administration was committed to achieve.
“I need peace in Abi to serve you better. I cannot meet your aspirations in an atmosphere characterised by chaos. Is it not rather too early in my administration to start settling disputes? I don’t want to be distracted by any form of violence because I will not hesitate to boycott any community that gives me trouble. Please let’s have peace in Abi’, the Chairman said appealing to the chiefs and members of both communities respectively.
The Chairman was accompanied by the Commanding Officer 245 Battalion Ikom, Col. I.M Jallo, the Special Adviser on Peace and Security in Abi amongst others who cautioned the people against further acts of violence and the need to maintain lasting peace in the area.
Col. Jallo maintained that the Chairman of council Hon. Edith Amadi would get 100% support and cooperation of the army and other security agencies operating in the council area to ensure that the local government was peaceful and secured.
He stressed that there would be zero tolerance for violence from any Abi community, warning that perpetrators would be severely dealt with while urging the chiefs to take charge of their communities and give the Chairman of Council full cooperation to enable her develop the Area.
It will be recalled that a resurgent dispute over a piece of land between both communities on Monday reportedly took the life of an Ebom man believed to have been shot in the farm. A few other persons were also said to have sustained machete cuts after persons believed to be from neighbouring Usumutong mounted roadblocks in an attempt to fish out indigenes of Ediba who they accuse of killing their kinsman.
Security forces were quickly deployed in the communities and calm seem to have returned.
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