Ngbo is a community in Ohaukwu local government area of
Ebonyi state. It consists of numerous communities like Ukpo, Okporchiri etc. It
has some features that attract some other communities within and beyond Ebonyi
state. The popular Ngbo market is among the oldest markets in Ebonyi state. This
naturally makes it strategic, and consequently, the attraction of different
peoples, for trading.
Suddenly, in the months of August and September, 2019,
crisis began to brew between the people and some Benue communities. This
resulted in the invasion of Ngbo communities by some Benue communities, which
led to the killing of over one hundred (100) Ngbo people.
When speaking with some journalists, some indigenous people
of Ngbo shared their views concerning the whole matter. It might be necessary
to reproduce the interview had with some indigenes of the community, with
regards to the fracas at Ngbo.
Interviewer: Good
afternoon Sir. Please, what is your name? And where are you from?
Ugochukwu: My
name is Ugochukwu Ihedi, from Ngbo community.
Interviewer: What
is the major cause of this painful tragedy?
Ugochukwu: Eh!
The main cause of this massacre is land dispute between our people and the
people of Benue community. Over one hundred (100) people! This mayhem is much.
Interviewer: Do
you think that someone's hand is behind this atrocious act?
Ugochukwu: Yes.
Our chairman's hand is 100% behind this act.
Interviewer: What!
Do you mean the chairman of your people have hand in this injudicious act?
Ugochukwu: Sure,
because of his hatred for the people of Ngbo.
Interviewer: Ok,
since this whole incident, what has Governor Dave Umahi led government done to
prevent further crisis?
Ugochukwu: Our
Governor has done nothing about it.
Interviewer: Is
there anything that can be done to prevent further attacks?
Ugochukwu: Yes.
If the chairman is removed from office, there will be changes.
Then, more evidence and opinions from another indigenous
person.
Interviewer: Good
day Sir. Please, what is your name? And where are you from?
Igwe: My name
is Igwe Onyebuchi, from Ngbo community.
Interviewer: What
do you have to tell the world about the sudden invasion of your community that
resulted in the killing of over one hundred persons?
Igwe: Actually,
there has been land and ethnic dispute between our people and the people of
Aghala community in Ado local government area of Benue state. On the 7th of
September, 2019, the Aghala youths attacked our youths. This took the life of
over hundred men of us.
Interviewer: Why
didn't Ngbo people retaliate against the killing of their youths?
Igwe: We
didn't fight back because the communities in question have common historical
heritage.
Interviewer: Because
of this act, how do you people cope?
Igwe: My
brother, since the incident, there has not been free flow of activities among
the various communities.
Interviewer: What
do you people intend doing, since everyone you called upon is turning a deaf
ear?
Igwe: This is
not the first time this type of thing is happening. After calling the
government they will turn deaf ears. That is why we are agitating for Biafra
restoration.
Interviewer: You
said this with a lot of confidence, why do you think that Biafra will bring to
an end to all problems?
Igwe: I’m
pretty sure. Because, when the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu visited Ebonyi state in 2017, the crowd that followed the
young man was more than humanity could imagine. If he is not a truthful man,
such crowd cannot move with him. Even the former President of Nigeria,
President Buhari when he was alive, could not go with such crowd.
Interviewer: You
have just brought us to another significant point. Do you mean that the
President of Nigeria is dead?
Igwe: Everybody
knows that. Any person who claims not to know that open-secret is either
mentally unbalanced, or psychiatrically challenged.
Interviewer: Since
the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is away for
some time now, how do you people get on in issues with him?
Igwe: We
listen to him via Radio Biafra. But we are still having some issues.
Interviewer: What
type of issue?
Igwe: The
reach of Radio Biafra to the people. We only hear it clear outside Ohaukwu
local government area.
Interviewer: Is
there any other problem you people are facing?
Igwe: Yes,
Fulani herdsmen have been terrorizing our community.
Interviewer: If
you recall, this is not the first time this incident is happening in this
community, as an elder man, what might be the root cause?
Igwe: The root
cause of this problem is this: The malicious deceit and mischief the white men
planted in some of our people during the colonial era 1920s account greatly for
these unending clashes. The invading colonialists, in the pursuit of their
divide and rule strategy, told our people on the two sides of the divide, that
we are not one people. Another thing is that: Yakubu Gowon, in 1970, after the
genocidal war on the people of Biafra vowed that Biafra will not exist again. To
ensure the institution of permanent enmity among our people on the two sides of
the divide, started a campaign of calumny, to reinforce the division and the
damage already done by state creation.
The people of lower Benue and our people are one. We bear
the same name, title, etc. We also jointly own the same market. We are asking
the world body to ask Nigeria to let us go, that marriage is not by force. We
are certain that our God, CHUKWU OKIKE Abiama, will do it for us.
Written by:
Iheukwumere Amaechila
For: Ebonyi State Media
Edited by:
Oby Mboma
For: Ebonyi State Media
Published by:
Chibuike John Nebeokike
For: Ebonyi State Media
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