Over 7,000 indigenes of Igbeagu in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have been displaced following clashes between them and their Ukele, Cross River State neighbours.
About 1,500 houses were destroyed.
Many of the displaced persons were seen trekking with their belongings on the Abakaliki-Ogoja highway to Abakaliki.
Chairman of Izzi council Paul Nwogha confirmed this yesterday while briefing Deputy Governor Kelechi Igwe.
Nwogha lamented that most villages had been deserted and some of the people still needed refuge and relief materials.
He thanked the government for coming to their aid, saying what is needed now is a holistic and sincere approach to the matter by both sides of the divide.
Commander of Nwakgu Military Cantonment, Lt.-Col. Sa’aad Sadiq said more troops had been deployed to quell the crisis.
He called on the people to cooperate with the peace process by attending security meetings intended to end the crisis, even as he assured them of their safety, saying the military was working to bring lasting peace in affected communities.
Igwe, who was on an assessment visit to the troubled area, addressed the displaced persons at Ndi-Akparata Nwenyi, in Igbeagu community, where some of them had taken refuge.
He directed the Cantonment Commander, Lt. Sa’aad Sadiq, to immediately deploy more troops in the troubled zone to safeguard the people.
The deputy governor appealed to the people to maintain peace and order, assuring them that the government would not watch the people being slaughtered.
As at last night, Igwe was in a security meeting with stakeholders of Izzi council and security personnel on ways to resolve the crisis.