By Egbe Attah with Agency reports
The people of Agila in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State and Ngbo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have resolved to end all forms of hostilities along their disputed boundary and pursue the restoration of peace between the two neighbouring communities.
They have also resolved to send a joint delegation of people from the two communities to the Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, to seek support in their resolve to build bridges for peace, cooperation and development.
These were some of the decisions taken during a meeting of the Agila/Ngbo Intercommunity Peace and Reconciliatory Committee held at Leach Hotels, Otukpo, Benue State, recently.
Eze Nwachukwu, the member representing Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, who outlined the strategic plan of action for the resolution of the dispute said, “there is no alternative to dialogue and peace between the two communities, as they have more to gain when they live together peacefully than when they are at war.”
The meeting, which called for the construction of a federal link road between Benue and Ebonyi States through the restive Agila/Ngbo corridor was attended by traditional rulers, chairmen of Ado and Ohaukwu Local Government councils, religious, political, youth, and community leaders from the two communities, among them were: Chief Philip Agbese, member, Federal House of Representatives for Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency and Pst Eze Nwachukwu, Member, Federal House of Representatives for Ohaukwu/Ebonyi Federal Constituency.
Also in attendance were the Deputy Speakers of both Benue and Ebonyi State Houses of Assembly, who, incidentally are from Agila and Ngbo, Lami Danladi (Agila, Benue State) and Chinedu Onah Ogba (Ngbo, Ebonyi State).
Others at the meeting were the coordinating chairmen of the joint Agila/Ngbo Peace Committee, Chief Otse Otokpa (Agila) and Chief Cyril Obazi (Ngbo) as well as Bishop Uba Udenyi (Agila) and Bishop Oge Vincent (Ngbo).
It would be recalled that Agila and Ngbo communities have been locked in endless bloody boundary clashes that have led to loss of lives and crippled all forms of economic activities in the area.
