Abia community (Ohafia) takes tough decisions: bans use of hard drugs, scrap dealers, sale of cooking gas in its market

Following incessant acts of lawlessness by some indigenes and non-indigenes residing in Ebem Ohafia including acts which have disrupted peace, breached communal customs, and endangered public order, the Paramount Ruler of Ebem Ohafia Ancient Kingdom HRH Eze Ukoha Kalu Ukoha in conjunction with the Ebem Council of Chiefs, Elders and key stakeholders of the community have instituted measures to forestall future occurrences.

The measures were contained in a seven-point communique jointly signed by the paramount Ruler of Ebem Ohafia Ancient Kingdom Eze Ukoha Kalu Ukoha, the president General EODU Chief Emeka Mba, the Secretary General EODU elder Idika Kalu Uche, PRO EODU Mr. Ifeanyi Okali, Community Leaders Chief Iro Nkwa Agwu and Mr. Uduma Okoro as well as the Secretary BOT EODU Barr. Anaga Kalu after an emergency meeting held at Ebem Ujurueze Palace, Ekeluogo, Ebem Ohafia.

The communique while recognizing the authority of the Abia State Government in approving motor parks, resolved that no two motor parks operating the same route shall exist within 500 metres of each other to avoid conflict and violence, adding that all motor parks operating in Ebem must contribute financially to community infrastructural development annually.

According to it, parties involved in disputes over motor parks must abide by the decisions of the Ebem Council of Chiefs and Elders in accordance with Ebem customs in order to checkmate crime, moral decay and erosion of traditional values.

The communique condemned in strong terms the resort to fetish practices by indigenes or residents in resolving disputes, rather than following the Council of Chiefs and Elders and warned that henceforth, any defaulters shall pay ₦500,000 fine and a Life Oath (Igba Ndu) whi h shall be administered between the involving parties to serve as a deterrence to others.

It further made it clear that all native doctors (Dibias) must operate within the bounds of Ebem customary laws to promote peaceful coexistence.

The communique also condemned the destruction of property and disregard for traditional observances through misuse of cultural instruments such as Akang while stating that going forward, offending compounds shall be held liable and punished using Akpan and Ebem youths as tradition demands.

According to the decision, the sale of cooking gas (LPG) in Ebem Market is banned outrightly, same as Cultism, gangsterism, and drug abuse with immediate effect as Parents and guardians are advised to caution their wards.

According to the communique, Landlords whose properties are used for such practices must evict offenders or face disciplinary measures as anyone found in unlawful possession of arms will be handed over to law enforcement agencies.

It also notes that due to the rising reports of cases of vandalism and theft of property in the community with security reports pointing to the activities of scrap dealers and their suppliers, the operations of scrap dealers (Akpakara) within the community have been banned with all scrap dealers/vendors directed to cease operations in Ebem community within two weeks of this resolution or face stringent disciplinary actions.

The community also used the forum to express opposition and condemnation of any attempts to reintroduce persons banished from Ebem for criminal acts, warning that any person or group of persons whose hand is in the return of such individuals must be ready to contend with the wrath of the Ebem community.

Making further clarifications, the communique pointed out that all Individuals banished from other communities are not be allowed to settle in Ebem whereas any age grade leadership that fails to complete assigned community tasks will be held accountable as all Age Grades shall forthwith, start taking disciplinary actions against any of her members that constitutes threat to the community in line with the usual and common practice in Ebem.