Abakaliki, Nigeria – Aged women from Isinkwo community of Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi state and the Council Chairman, Chief Ikechukwu Ogboffia, have disagreed over the modalities adopted in demarcating a contentious land.
The fatricidal conflict between Isinkwo and neighbouring Abaomege communities has led to loss of several lives and destruction of properties worth millions of naira.
Past administrations in the state tried to end the conflict to no avail which made Gov. Francis Nwifuru’s administration demarcate the land.
The aged Isinkwo women, numbering over 50, staged a protest at the Ebonyi Government House on Monday, alleging that the council chairman was using his influence to favour his community, Abaomege, in the demarcation.
The Leader of the Isinkwo Community Development Union (ICDU), Women Wing, Mrs Margaret Itumo, said during the protest that the flawed demarcation process could cause a breach of peace.
“We seek the state governor’s urgent intervention as the relief we had when the demarcation commenced on Feb 17, has been dashed.
“We realised that the demarcation was without regard to the government’s White Paper which is the legal framework for the terms of settlement.
“We also noticed that the process was not transparent, favouring Abaomege community over Isinkwo.”
She complained that the survey map which is a critical component of the white paper, has also been disregarded by those undertaking the demarcation.
“We have complained severally but they have refused to provide the map for necessary guidance on the demarcation.
“We could not had bothered if the map was hidden from both communities but received information that the council chairman was in possession of the map.
“The six swamp-lands in dispute are captured in the white paper with their names but the demarcation has extended to our uplands, ancient buildings, old primary schools among others.”
The Council Chairman, Chief Ikechukwu Ogboffia, denied the accusations of compromise, noting that he has been neutral in the demarcation process, as the head of the council.
“Isinkwo and Abaomege communities are brothers, inter-marry and therefore should live as one family.
“This is an age-long conflict which has led to loss of many lives and I pledged during my campaign, to permanently quell it.
“The people should be grateful to the governor for the bold step of demarcating the land and therefore shun acts or utterances that would trauncate the process.”
He noted that he was not saddled with the demarcation task as the government will ensure that the process was fair and just.
The State Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Mr Donatus Ilang, urged the women to embrace peace to ensure that the conflict was permanently resolved.
“This conflict has claimed the lives of our fathers, mothers and children so no effort should be spared to permanently address it.
“I will relay your concerns to the appropriate authorities but you should maintain peace which is paramount in the resolution process.”
