Okporojo Massacre: Ebonyi govt rolls out N70m relief for victims

Ebonyi state government has distributed relief materials and cash worth over N70 million to families affected by the recent killings in Okporojo, Oso Edda in Edda local government area of the state.

 

The January 29 killings was following intercommunal hostilities over land dispute between Amasiri in Afikpo LGA and the Okporojo people.

 

The flag-off of the distribution was performed by Governor Francis Nwifuru on Thursday at the old government House premises, Abakaliki

 

Represented by Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Moses Odunwa, the Governor urged the affected communities to embrace peace and avoid all acts of revenge which could re-escalate the crisis.

 

Odunwa said that in spite of social media criticisms in some quarters against the government on its stance on the crisis, the Governor will continue to remain focused on his responsibility of protecting vulnerable citizens and restoring peace in troubled communities in the state.

 

While urging residents to always tow the path of peace and reconciliation, he emphasized that the welfare of Ebonyi citizens remains dear to the governor’s heart, stressing that the administration is committed to protecting all communities in the state without bias.

 

Odunwa recalled the emotional effect on the governor after learning about the killing of an elderly woman during the crisis, noting that the incident deeply moved the entire state leadership and reinforced the urgency to end the violence and restore normalcy across the affected communities.

 

Providing details of the intervention, the Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Monitoring, Ann Aligwe, said the state government released ₦70 million to support 57 victims who were displaced during the January 29 incident.

 

She explained that four persons who lost loved ones received ₦2 million each, 18 victims whose houses were destroyed received ₦1.5 million each, while three hospitalized victims received ₦1 million each. The remaining affected persons received ₦500,000 each, depending on the level of damage suffered.

 

In addition to the monetary support, beneficiaries were given relief materials including mattresses, bundles of roofing sheets, cartons of roofing nails, food items such as rice and garri, as well as clothing to help them rebuild their lives.

 

Chairman of Edda Local Government Area, Chima Ekumankama and the Coordinator of Edda North Development Centre. Mrs Cecilia Nkama Ude, commended the Governor for his swift intervention, noting that the support had restored hope among victims who were previously helpless.

 

He assured residents that the government would continue to protect lives and property, adding that normalcy was gradually returning to the affected communities as displaced persons begin to resettle in their homes.

 

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to newsmen including the widow of a casualty, Lucy Eze Orji Ndukwe and pastor Jonathan Ukpai Kalu who said his younger brother was killed and beheaded in the attack, appreciated the governor and the state government for the gesture describing it as a restoration of their hopes.

 

Mrs Ndukwe who could not hide her agony said she has been facing both economic and emotional challenges coping with the death of her husband in the attack, leaving her with a little child of less than a year. She said she has no one to help her train the child, and appreciated the Governor for giving her the lifeline.