By Tony Adibe
At last, the hitherto elusive peace appears to have returned to Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, Enugu State after several months of anarchy and insecurity as 41 youths who had earlier turned militant reportedly embraced peace, surrendered their weapons while the State Government granted them amnesty.
NewsBits learnt that the ceremony which was held at Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area Pavilion, Ogrute, Enugu-Ezike , marked a turning-point in the several efforts for peace and stability which has been sought for by some key stakeholders from the area for some months before now.
Some of the repented militants were alleged to have been behind the anarchy, and destruction of both public and private property in the area some months back. However, the Chairman of Igbo-Eze North LGA, Prince Ejike Itodo, who addressed the gathering during the peace talk, described the event as the most important of all and the high point of the Christmas and New Year celebration in the area.
Prince Itodo also described peace and security as the beauty of government and thanked those who are passionate about a better Igbo-Eze North, stressing that the significance of the event was that the people of Igbo-Eze North “have sent the devil and its agents packing.”
The council chairman lauded the leadership sagacity of the Governor of Enugu State, who is also the Enugu North Senatorial Candidate of PDP for the 2023 general election, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who out of his peaceful nature decided to curb the lingering insecurity in Igbo-Eze North by granting amnesty to all the youths that have repented and dropped their weapons.
Prince Itodo also handed over two Hilux Security Vehicles procured by the government for the Neighbourhood Watch of Igbo-Eze North Chapter to the Divisional Police Officer, Igbo-Eze North Police Division, CSP Akor Simon.
He expressed gratitude to all the key stakeholders who attended the event for sacrificing their time to witness the programme and then advised the repented youths to disseminate the good news to others at large for them to repent and reunite with their communities.
“Today is a significant day in Igbo-Eze North council. It’s important for us to search for peace and fight insecurity in the area together. We appreciate His Excellency, the peace-loving governor, Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for restoring peace in the area,” Prince Itodo said.
Also, the PDP chairman, Igbo-Eze North Chapter, Chief Alexander Uramah, said that the root cause of the insecurity is joblessness and expressed his satisfaction with the gesture of Governor Ugwuanyi and Prince Itodo in curbing the menace.
Some of the repentant youths like Ogbonna Okonkwo from Aguibeje, Odinaka Odo from Olido and Somadina Omeje, popularly known as King George Bush from Umuogboagu, who spoke on behalf of the youths in their separate speeches, regretted their actions and blamed it on the devil and promised to turn to new leaves and be part of the peace process being sought by government and meaningful people of Igboeze North.
CSP Akor Simon, Divisional Police Officer, Igbo-Eze North Police Division, who was represented by SP Ugwu Victor, D. C. O. Igbo-Eze North Police Division, on behalf of the security agencies in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, commended the leadership style of Governor Ugwuanyi , who through the Chairman, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, Prince Itodo granted amnesty to the youths amnesty.
