Women protest, demand release of 177 husbands jailed over war in Ebonyi 

By Uchenna Okeh 

Women in their great numbers on Monday, protested and demanded for the immediate release of their husbands numbering over 177 and currently languishing in Abakaliki prisons over the intractable war between Effium and Ezza

in Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi State.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that the said war between the two communities started in 2021, with many lives lost and properties worth billions of naira destroyed.

The last administration in the state made efforts to resolve the crisis but killings, maiming and destruction persisted. 

Many people from the two communities were arrested, and remanded in prisons.

The total number of  detainees is 177. 92 of them are Ezza while 85 are Effium.

They have been awaiting trial for four years.

About ten of them have reportedly died in detention while many have gone blind and some suffering different diseases for lack of medical care.

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The women said life has become so difficult for them since their husbands and children who are among the detainees were remanded.

They alleged that they have lost many children and husbands in detention and called on governor Francis Nwifuru to intervene and ensure that they are released 

Mrs. Uguru Blessing, from Effium said she has been suffering for four years after her husband was sent to prison.

“My husband has been in prison for over four years now and I don’t know what to do. 

“I really appreciate our governor for the kind of peace he has brought in Effium. I am so happy, I really appreciate him, he is a good man.

“One thing I am begging him, he should please help us. We are suffering, we are dying. My husband left four children for me and since then, I don’t know what I am doing. The load of two people has turned to one person.

“My children have dropped out of school, they are at home because of my inability to pay their school fees. Our governor should please help us so that our husbands can be released “, she said 

On her part, Mrs  Kindness Ekpeta from  Ezza, commended governor Francis Nwifuru for restoring peace in Effium and appealed to him to intervene in the imprisonment of their husbands and children so that they can be released.

She alleged that over 10  of their husbands and children in the prison have died while those that are alive are now very sick.

“I went there last Sunday to visit them and I shed tears because many of them are sick, many are blind because of lack of care. 

“My promise to our governor is that we will continue to be supportive for bringing peace in Effium”, she stated.

Other women including  Mrs Martha Nworie and Mrs Virginia Ufuo from Ezza, lamented that the detention of their husbands and children have brought untold hardship for them as they can no longer care for their children. 

They also appealed to governor Nwifuru to assist in releasing them even as they commended him for restoring peace to the area.