Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
The two warring cult groups in Ibaa and Obelle communities in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State have officially signed peace accord as part of their commitment to peace and unity in the area.
This time, the signing was done before traditional rulers, chiefs, elders, women, security operatives and authorities of the local government council.
Addressing the repented cultist, one of the facilitators of the peace initiative, FUBARA OHAKA expressed happiness over the peace accord but advised the boys not to allow to be used by any individual to cause trouble in the land and never to go back to their former lives.
OHAKA disclosed that stakeholders in the community and security agencies would monitor the peace with the deployment of other strategies to ensure that the peace is sustained.
On his part, the immediate past commissioner for Housing, CHINEDU NWEBUEZE-TASIE said the peace move was initiated following a threat by Governor NYESOM WIKE to withdrew development from communities that are in crisis.
He also called on the Governor to ensure the completion of Ibaa-Obelle-Rumuji road now that peace has returned to the community.
Meanwhile, the commander in charge of the military deployed in Ibaa community Captain Christian Adukanya has warned that the peace accord will be the last peace agreement that will be signed in the community.
The commander Christian Adukanya threatened that the security operatives would not fail to employ hard means of restoring peace should the two factions of the group attempt to return to their former lives.
According to the peace agreement read out by the commander, the two cult groups led by CHIKA NED popularly called BISHOP and CHINANU ELEONU who is known as NICKED must respect constituted authority in the community and must lay down their arms.
The peace accord also read that there shall be no form of harassment and extortion from any member of the group while a monitoring committee will be set up to monitor compliance and other conditions.
Our correspondent reports that the Chairman of the local government council, Chief TOM ALIEZI who was present at the event assured the provision of electricity which he said could help compliment the peace accord just as he enjoined the youths to embrace peace.
