The leaders in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, recently, urged residents to continue to embrace peaceful co-existence and constant dialogue for rapid development of the council area.
The leaders, who spoke to newsmen who visited the council area, noted that enduring peace had returned after a few months of security challenge leading to dusk-to-dawn curfew being placed in the area.
It would be recalled that the security challenges, which almost crippled socio-economic activities in the area, began in February 2022 leading to killings, burning of houses and a government office in the area.
It was observed that the 36 communities of the council area are bubbling with socio-economic activities even as the curfew had been relaxed, a sign that peace had fully returned to the area renowned for palm wine, artwork production and mineral resources.
However, there is still the presence of joint security personnel, who are carrying out an internal security training exercise code-named – Exercise Golden Dawn – 2 – maintaining and ensuring peace and order in the area.
Speaking, the Chairman of the council area, Prince Ejike Itodo, said the security challenge was an offshoot of security challenges facing the entire nation.
Itodo commended Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for his quick response which helped quell the situation, adding that the council had deployed robust engagement and dialogue mechanisms which reasonably brought the situation under control.
The chairman, while assuring that enduring peace had returned, noted that council had further directed all councillors in the council area to move to their locations to engage their constituents as part of sustainable solution strategy to arrest future recurrence.
“I am assuring our sons and daughters of the council area, especially the Enugu Ezike community, who want to come home for Christmas and New Year celebrations to return as the area is now safe for everyone,” he said.
Collaborating, Igwe Gabriel Agbedo, Chairman, Igboeze North Traditional Rulers Council, who expressed sadness over the earlier situation, noted that their children abroad and in other cities in the country were afraid to visit home after the negative development.
Agbedo, who is also the Traditional Ruler of Amachalla community, appealed to anyone still aggrieved to come forward with their demands, instead of resorting to violence and destruction of property.
He said: “I am begging because we need peace and peace is reigning now. Let any person or group still aggrieved come to a roundtable discussion instead of resorting to violence.
“I enjoin anyone from Igbo-Eze North to try and promote peace instead of planning for pieces. Let us join hands together to make our home peaceful because if we put fire in our house, where can we go?”
Chief Simon Atigwe, Member representing Igbo Eze North/Udenu Federal constituency, prayed that violence would not recur and appealed to those still aggrieved to give peace a chance, adding: “We thank God things are better now in my area”.
“We cried out to the relevant organizations especially the government and then the government came to our rescue using security apparatus in the state, mainly the police, DSS, soldiers and even the neighborhood watch.
“I thank God it is almost over now, so I just want to thank the government of our state, the local government administration and the good people of Igboeze North LGA,” Atigwe said.
The most elderly person (Onyishi) in Enugu-Ezike community, Pa Silas Ezenwokpe, urged misguided youths in the area to turn a new leaf for real and forfeit their old ways.
Ezenwokpe called for a moral rebirth and love for one another while reminding the youths as social inequality had existed from nature.
“No one should resort to crime including killings because of its long term consequences,” the nonagenarian warned.
A visit to a popular Eke Market in Enugu-Ezike community showed massive turnout that did not depict a place that recently experienced major security issues as commercial activities were at its peak.
Some traders – Thankgod Ogili, Okwudili Idoko and Mary Ogbu – expressed happiness that enduring peace had returned in the council area, unlike previously they were scared to move around for fear of the unknown.
