Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has declared the disputed land, that had caused a lingering crisis between the people of Umobor -Akaeze and Ogwor -Ishiagu in the Ivo Local Government Area a buffer zone.

This was contained in a Press Release issued on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Grace Umezurike.

According to the Release, “the Governor of Ebonyi State Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has observed with serious concern, the lingering crisis between the people of Umobor-Akaeze and Ogwor-Ishiagu in IVO LGA over a piece of land.

“Consequently, the Governor has declared the disputed land a buffer zone and directed both parties to steer clear from the disputed land as anybody found in the land would be made to face the wrath of the law”

The Release added, “The Governor also directs security agencies to beef up security to ensure full compliance to this directives and maintain law and order in the area”

The Governor further invites 20 stakeholders from each of the communities to a crucial meeting scheduled as follows.

Meanwhile, no fewer than six persons have been killed by suspected warlords of the people of Ogwor village in Ishiagu and Umubor villages in the Akaeze community respectively.

The people of Umuobor Akaeze and their neighbours Ogwor have been in a lingering communal crisis for decades now. This has resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property worth millions of naira.