The spate of communal clashes in Nigeria rages on, moving to the eastern part of the country as no fewer than nine people lost their lives as renewed clashes erupted between Azuofida-Edda and Ogurude communities of Ebonyi and Cross River states respectively.
The clashes is about boundary dispute and it has claimed about 20 lives and properties worth millions of naira destroyed since it erupted barely a month ago.
General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Maj. Gen Adamu Abubarkar, who visited the warring communities, urged the aggrieved citizens to embrace peace.
Speaking at a meeting with traditional rulers and youths, the army boss pointed out the repercussion of allowing youths take laws into their hands and the necessity for forgiveness and peaceful coexistence.
He urged the traditional leaders, youths and elders of the communities to pardon one another and allow peace to reign, pending when the relevant authorities will conclude investigation into the matter and proffer solution.
“As humans, we must refrain from revenge, acting in anger and wanton destruction. This will certainly not bring solution to any problem, but will rather compound it. It appears these brotherly communities are now victims of this cyclical danger of violence and destruction,” General Abubakar said.
He told the traditional rulers that soldiers and policemen drafted in their communities would maintain and, where necessary, enforce peace and should be given all the cooperation.
Addressing the GOC, the traditional rulers revealed that over nine persons have been killed just last week in the melee.
