Effium Blog

Breaking News: Ohaukwu Delegation Visits Governor Ogbonna Nwifuru, Reaffirms Commitment to Peace in Effium Community

In a significant gesture of goodwill, the people of Ohaukwu Local Government Area today paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency, Governor Ogbonna Nwifuru, at his country home in Oferekpe Agbaja.

The delegation, led by the Executive Chairman of Ohaukwu LGA and his amiable wife, discussed pressing issues affecting the community, particularly the ongoing peace efforts in Effium.

Speaking to reporters from Effium Blog, the Chairman highlighted the stable peace achieved in Effium so far. Echoing the Governor’s stance, he emphasized the importance of the government’s road map to peace and the resettlement of displaced Cross River settlers from Uffiom.

The Chairman affirmed that in the spirit of One Nigeria, Cross River settlers willing to accept the peace plan are welcome to resettle in Ohaukwu. However, he stressed that those “hell-bent on killing and destroying Igbo people” should seek refuge in Cross River North, their ancestral homeland.

He expressed gratitude to Ezza, the first son of Ekumenyi, for embracing the state government’s peace plan and urged them to remain law-abiding, even in the face of cross-border attacks by Cross River militants.

The visit culminated in a symbolic presentation of Christmas gifts to His Excellency and his household, further solidifying the spirit of unity and reconciliation.

Stay tuned to Effium Blog for more updates!

Calabar, originally known as Ata Akpa, is a historic city located on the eastern bank of the Qua River in southeastern Nigeria. It was once a collection of Efik settlements and served as a key hub for the transatlantic slave trade, where slaves captured from the hinterlands were exchanged for goods such as guns, beads, and ammunition.

The name “Calabar” is believed to have been coined by the Portuguese explorer Diogo Cão during his 15th-century voyages. It is derived from the Portuguese term calabbara, meaning “calm bar,” a reference to the calm anchorage area where ships could dock safely.

Calabar has a unique monarchy in which kings are crowned twice: first in a traditional ceremony and later in a Christian one. The Efik rulers were cooperative with the British colonial powers and did not resist their arrival. In 1884, the people of Calabar signed a treaty of friendship and protection with Queen Victoria, who had previously sent regalia for the coronation of King Archibong III in 1878.

The city also served as the administrative capital of what would later become southern Nigeria until 1906. Calabar holds the distinction of hosting Nigeria’s first recorded football match in 1904. Today, it is considered the tourism capital of Nigeria, renowned for its vibrant annual carnival held every December.

Tribes ancestrally related to the people of Calabar include:

Ukelle, whose ancestral offsprings include Uffiom (settlers in Ohaukwu, present-day Ebonyi State), Okpolo, and Idzem (popularly called Amuda, a minority Calabar tribe in Ezza North).

Lamé and Eteji, Ukelle settlers in Ishielu communities.

Ufia and Ogbala, found in Benue State, Nigeria.

Wanikade, Wanihem, Wanokom, and others.

Breaking News: Cross River Militants Launch Deadly Attack on Ezza Igbo Communities in Benue State

In a shocking and violent escalation, over 30 armed militants, reportedly from a coalition of Cross River settlers led by Uffiom people of Ukelle in Yala Local Government Area, Cross River State, stormed the Igbo aboriginal communities of Nwogbogele and Nwokporo-Egbashi in Benue State. The attackers razed several buildings, leaving a trail of destruction, with women and children tragically among the casualties.

The incident has sparked outrage and calls for immediate government intervention. The Ebonyi State government, under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Ogbonna Nwifuru, is urged to address this crisis urgently by holding the Cross River settlers in Ohaukwu and Ishielu accountable. Leaders are being called upon to restrain these armed groups to prevent further bloodshed.

Efforts by reporters from Effium Blog to reach key stakeholders of the Uffiom community, alleged to have orchestrated the attack, have so far been unsuccessful.

Eyewitnesses report that the violence prompted a retaliatory response from the Ezza vigilante group, leading to the deaths of some of the assailants. There are mounting calls for the military to intervene decisively to prevent future attacks on vulnerable Ezza communities in Benue State.

This is not an isolated incident. On December 7th, another group of militants from Uffiom reportedly crossed into Ebonyi State via the Cross River-Izzi border. They laid siege to Odum, Azu-Igbulede, and Ichari communities, resulting in significant loss of life and the destruction of Ezza properties worth millions of naira.

The escalating violence underscores the urgent need for coordinated security measures to protect innocent lives and restore peace to the affected communities.

Follow us Effium Blog for more breaking news across the globe

🧬🌏 Hidden in the shadows of human history, the Denisovans were ancient wanderers who left an incredible genetic legacy. Imagine: 800,000 years ago, they journeyed from Africa, leaving mysterious DNA traces in the people of Papua New Guinea, Australia, and the islands of the Pacific. 4.8% of some populations still carry their genetic whispers - a silent testament to an incredible, forgotten chapter of our shared human story!

We are walking, breathing museums of ancient migrations - every DNA strand tells a story waiting to be discovered.