Business activities were completely shut down at the popular Okwo-ngbo market in Ngbo community, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, following the alleged beating of some Agila traders by erring youths of the area.
The beating resulted in panic and chaos as traders began to vacate the market for fear of reprisal by the Agila people.
Recall that Ngbo and Agila communities of Ebonyi and Benue States have been engulfed in over one hundred years of communal clashes, which resulted in the killings of thousands of people, and the destruction of properties worth millions
Ngbo in Ohaukwu LGA and Agila in Ado LGA of Ebonyi and Benue States, recently resolved to end the war and allegedly entered into a peace talk/ bond to avert further eruption of Communal clashes.
The communities also agreed to trade alongside each other without rancour or molestation.
DAILY POST reports that the leaders of the Ngbo clan also created a large space at the Okwo-ngbo market, where Agila traders would stay and carry out their legitimate businesses but roughly two weeks after the peace agreement, the communities began having altercations.
A reliable source, who is a member of Ngbo leaders council, who spoke to DAILY POST unanimity, confirmed the beating of Agila traders at Okwo-ngbo by Ngbo youths but vowed that the perpetrators will never go unpunished.
The source noted further that the beating will not spark another war between Ngbo and Agila communities, and that the peace agreement still stands, adding that the clan shouldn’t be blamed for the actions of the youths.
When contacted for reaction, the chairman of Ohaukwu LGA, Odono Ikechukwu did not take his calls nor respond to text messages sent to him.
Also responding, the member representing Ohaukwu, Ebonyi federal constituency in the national assembly, Mr. Eze Nwachukwu said: “It is not all that true Ngbo people did not breach any agreement. It was just a mere quarrel between a few people” he stated.
