The members of the Isuaniocha community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State have resolved to embrace peace and end the five-year crisis plaguing the community for the overall development of the area.
In a general meeting involving the elders, women, youths, and stakeholders on Sunday, the community banned all youth activities as well as the collection of levies in various forests in the area to ensure peace and order.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Chairman, Umulem town, one of the towns in the community, Chief Donatus Anyaegbunem, said the decision was taken by the community having realised it was the root cause of the lingering crisis in the area.
Anyaegbunem noted that the entire community was from one parent and had no reason to get to the point of crises that will warrant people running out of the town.
He said: “The decision was taken so that all aggrieved and concerned persons will come out and proffer the way forward having agreed that peace was the best option for the overall interest of the entire community.
“We have therefore set up a Peace committee with the mandate of speaking with all parties involved in the five-year-long crises and getting back with recommendations aimed at ensuring lasting peace in Isuaniocha.
“Those who were already paying rent and levies to private individuals were directed to stop forthwith until all issues are resolved.
“The elders and Ndi Ozor set the tone for the peace talks as they opened the floor for all aggrieved and concerned persons to come out and proffer a way forward having agreed that peace was the best option for the overall interest of the entire Community”.
The people used the medium to send a strong warning to all persons and individuals from neighbouring communities intruding and fanning the ember of crises in Isuaniocha to desist henceforth.
Chief Obuka Okoye from Otoko village and Luise Ndubuife appealed to those whose houses and means of livelihood were destroyed to forgive those involved in the interest of peace and development of the community.
One of the victims of the crises, Mr Madiegbuna Igboanyia, who recounted the trauma some of them went through in the last five years, called on the elders to remove sentiment and ensure that truth is said at all times, as that is the only tool to bring about lasting peace.
Another victim, Paulinus Onyeagolu, whose family houses were destroyed and property looted, said they decided to initiate the peace process to put a stop to all the issues that do no good to anybody.
The Chairman, Ozor-in-Council in Isuaniocha, Chukwudi Onuorah, said it was the first time the entire Community was coming together to embrace peace while expressing the hope that every matter would be resolved so that indigenes and residents will no longer have a course to run helter-skelter.
He called on parents in the community to warm their children, youths and relations to desist from further attacks as such a step could puncture the peace and progress being achieved.
The Peace Committee is made up of chairmen and secretaries of all the villages as well as women leaders and other notable upright persons nominated by the elders and Ozor-in-Council.
It was the first time the entire people sat together to discuss, since 2018 when crises broke out leading to the destruction of property and the death of some individuals.
