Ebonyi distributes relief items to IDPs

The Ebonyi Government on Tuesday distributed relief materials worth N19 million to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Ebouwana Camp in Afikpo South Local Government Area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the beneficiaries are victims of an intra communal clash in Itinam, Ebouwana community.

The Chairman of the local government, Mr Eni-Uduma Chima, who distributed the relief items on behalf of the state government, said the gesture was to alleviate the suffering of the IDPs.

“We are here to distribute relief items from government to lessen the hardship faced by our brothers and sisters displaced by the intra boundary conflict among the Itinam people of Ebouwana.

“The relief materials will facilitate the settling down of the returnee IDPs. Gov. Dave Umahi is committed to promoting and entrenching peace in all parts of the state,” Chima said.

He urged the people to live in peace, shun violence, and love one another, adding that peace was essential for the socio-economic development of any society.

Chima warned that the state government would not hesitate to deal with anyone or group found to be causing violence and war in Ebonyi.

“Government has warned that it will henceforth punish anyone or group discovered to be responsible for outbreak of violence or war in any part of the state.

“Government is irrevocably committed to this policy.

“We don’t want to have our people killing one another and displacing hundreds of others,” he said.

NAN reports that items distributed included 121 bags of rice, 121 cartons of Indomie noodles, 121 wrappers, 121 sleeping mattresses and N12 million cash.