Residents of Edeaniagu clan in Amigbo Ishi-Ozalla community, located in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, are once again bringing attention to recent incidents of segregation and ostracization they have experienced.
Speaking at a world press conference in Enugu on Tuesday, members of the community highlighted the deplorable acts of man’s inhumanity to man, intimidation, and cruelty that must not go unchecked.
Chief Uchenna Nweke, the clan chairman, emphasized the urgent need for stakeholders and compassionate individuals to step in and address this unjust treatment before it escalates into a severe crisis.
According to Chief Nweke, the entire Edeaniagu clan, consisting of seven villages, has been unjustly ostracized. They have been deprived of employment opportunities at the UNTH, excluded from holding leadership positions within the community, and denied participation in various community activities.
“Despite lodging complaints with the Enugu State House of Assembly during the previous administration and the Government House, our issues remain unaddressed. The suspension of the traditional ruler involved was ordered, but subsequent actions to rectify the situation have not materialized,” Chief Nweke lamented.
High Chief Joseph Nweke, an octogenarian and traditional head of Edeaniagu clan, expressed the agony of being subjected to constant harassment and denial of their rights despite being the indigenous people of Ishi-Ozalla. He appealed to Governor Peter Mbah to intervene and provide a lasting solution to their plight.
Professor Muna Nweke Okoye, a philanthropist and native of the community, regretted the persistence of segregation tactics being used to sow discord among the people. She urged a swift resolution to the age-old suffering faced by the Edeaniagu clan.
“Our ancestors welcomed newcomers to our land without discrimination, but now, they seek to divide us unjustly. We reject this injustice and will continue to resist it,” Prof. Muna declared.
She called upon Governor Mbah to consider their request for a new autonomous community as a permanent solution to the longstanding crisis in the area.
Leaders of women and youth in the clan highlighted the vulnerability of their groups in the midst of the crisis, affecting their daily activities and social engagements. They stressed the urgent need for intervention to restore peace and justice in Ishi-Ozalla.
A collective plea was made to the Governor Peter Mbah-led administration to revisit the previous panel of enquiry or establish a new one to address the crisis effectively and ensure sustainable peace in the community.
Reflecting on past difficulties faced during the 2023 general election, community members holding opposition views emphasized that restoring peace in Ishi-Ozalla should be a top priority for Governor Mbah’s administration.