The people of Ekajiok, Ogoja local government Area of Cross River State, has displaced no fewer than two thousand Ebonyians including infants, children, male and female both young and old over alleged missing of their two indigenes in Ebonyi state.
According to the Chairman Izzi traders Association in Ekajiok, Mr Agena Simon who was narrating the ordeal to some journalists at the cabinet office government house Abakaliki, where the Ebonyi displaced persons were currently camping, said he was told that some people from Cross River state were said to have gone to Ebonyi state to mill their rice but two of them allegedly got missing .
Agene, who said there have lived in peace with the people of the area, condemned the destruction of houses and shops owned by Ebonyians in the area by the angry youths of Ekajiok.
He then called on Ebonyi state government to come to their rescue stressing that the displaced persons include, men, women, pregnant women, nursing mothers, children and infants.
“I was in front of my shops on Friday when somebody came to me and told me what was happening. He asked me to close my shops first. Within five minutes, youths from Ekajiok in their numbers armed with various weapons came and broke my shops. They looted everything in the shops, they went around the community and did the same thing to all Ebonyi indigenes resident in the community.
“We have lost all our livelihood and earnings, the shirt I am wearing is the only thing that is saved in the attack. We are crying to our Governor to come to our aid because we have nothing to feed our children and entire families we are dying of hunger.
On his part, Head of Department relief and rehabilitation of Ebonyi state Emergency Management Agency Prince Chibueze Iteshi noted that the Secretary to the state government Dr Hygienus Nwaokwu had directed NEMA to take action immediately in taking care of the displaced persons.
He further commended the Nigerian Police from Ogoja Area command and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, that fought and ensure that they were safeguarded and brought back to Ebonyi state here.
Recall that the people of Igbeagu community, Izzi local government area of Ebonyi State and their neighbouring Ukele Yala local government area of Cross River state have been at war over boundary matters with many killed and properties worth billions of naira destroyed.