Engr Magnus Edeh visits Mpu as fights intensify at Mpu-Ishiagu borders
Enugu State Assembly has reacted to the violent killings at Mpu, a town in Aninri local government area that borders Ishiagu in Ebonyi. During his informal visits to the families of the victims yesterday, Engr Magnus Ede who represents Aninri at the Assembly assured Mpu residents of immediate government intervention.
The border war with Mpu and their Ishiagu neighbours dated back to nearly a century. Despite having a lot in common, the communities have been fighting over a large expanse of fertile farmland, with each claiming ancestral ownership of it. There are moments of peace, but never a permanent truce. In the past, one community would cross the boundaries to kill at the other side.
Last week, Ishiagu struck. Their local warriors crossed to Mpu in a surprising attack that left a man dead at the spot with many others fatally wounded.
After consoling with the grieving families, Engr Edeh visited the traditional ruler of Mpu, His Royal Highness Igwe Cletus Udechukwu and his cabinet.
“I think it’s time the government must hear your cry, our cry,” Edeh told them.
He proposed a joint peace and security committee between Enugu and Ebonyi State Governments, while assuring them of his commitment to actually ending the age-long war through legislative acts and other various interventions.
Igwe Udechukwu called the visit “timely” and thanked Edeh for “doing what most politicians” in Aninri have refused to do.
Mpu is the country home of former Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.