A source from the area noted that most of those killed were children, the aged and women including a pregnant woman.
At least ten persons lost their lives on Wednesday when assaillants attacked Umuezeoka community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Properties were also destroyed and houses were razed by the yet-to-be-identified gunmen who unleashed terror on the community.
According to reports, the killing may not be unconnected to the long standing and raging intra-communal crisis between Ezza Effium and Uffiom people, both in Effium town.
The violent conflict has claimed many lives and displaced thousands from their ancestral homes.
A health centre in the community was among several buildings burnt and destroyed by the attackers.
Distressing pictures of those murdered during the onslaught circulated on social media on Thursday.
The total number of those killed could not be ascertained but from the pictures, at least nine dead bodies were counted, most of them women and children.
A source from the area noted that most of those killed were children, the aged and women including a pregnant woman.
Another source regretted that the attack came when the state government has initiated moves to bring lasting peace among the warring parties.
“While Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is doing everything to bring peace to Effium community, the aggressors from Uffiom have been busy thwarting every peace effort of the government.
“Just yesterday, they attacked Inikiri Umuezeoka where they massacred children, old men and women and burnt down every structure within their reach including Amurt.
“This is unbecoming and Ebonyi State Government should arrest their leaders.The government can’t be making peace effort and these monsters will be somewhere discrediting the good efforts of the government. It’s now obvious that Uffiom never wanted peace,” the source said.
Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor, who evaded questions on the security situation in Effium, stated that the present administration is working assidously towards ensuring that peace returns to the beleaguered enclave.
He said: “The Implementation Committee has been inaugurated. The Peace Committee has been inaugurated and they have started work in ernest.
“All the Line Ministries are working with the committees to ensure that peace returns there in Effium. In a few days time, the gazzetted copy of the White Paper will be out. Before ending of next week, it’s going to be out” he said
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