Ebonyi Govt Disburses ₦101.9m to Victims of Nkalaha Gunmen Attack
By Ugo Ewa
The Ebonyi State Government has disbursed ₦101.9 million in relief funds to victims of the February 2, 2025 gunmen attack in Nkalaha, Ishielu Local Government Area, which left several people dead, homes destroyed, and many displaced.
Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, represented by Deputy Governor Patricia Obila, made the presentation on Thursday at the Ishielu LGA headquarters. She described the gesture as part of efforts to cushion the devastating impact of the violence and support affected families in rebuilding their lives.
"With a heavy heart, I reflect on the tragic incident in Nkalaha. The loss of lives and destruction of property were deeply saddening. We must come together as one family to prevent such tragedies in the future," Obila said.
According to the breakdown of the disbursement:
- ₦2 million was given to each of the 18 bereaved families, totaling ₦36 million.
- ₦1 million was allocated to each of the 41 owners of destroyed buildings, amounting to ₦41 million.
- Compensation for four motorcycles destroyed during the attack was set at ₦1 million each, totaling ₦4 million.
- Victims who lost cash received a collective ₦816,000.
- The Fulani community was granted ₦20 million in compensation for lost cattle.
Obila urged beneficiaries to use the funds judiciously and assured that the government would continue to provide infrastructural support and social amenities to aid full recovery. She also noted that victims not captured in the current round would be considered in subsequent phases of assistance.
Chairperson of Ishielu LGA, Peace Ifeoma Agwu, hailed the intervention as “historic” and praised the governor’s swift response. “Not all leaders show such compassion. Our people are gradually returning to their farms and businesses,” she said.
Speaking on the origin of the crisis, HRH Eze Thompson Ebeh, traditional ruler of Nkalaha Autonomous Community, said the violence was reportedly triggered by a reprisal after a cow was killed in Ameko land. He emphasized that dialogue remains the only path to lasting peace and commended the involvement of security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), in mediating the conflict.
Also commenting, HRH Eze Innocent Okafor, traditional ruler of Ezillo Autonomous Community, lauded the government’s swift action and stressed the need for firm state intervention in addressing herder-farmer tensions. “Nothing is more valuable than life. This is not a burden traditional rulers can bear alone,” he warned.
Stakeholders at the event expressed optimism that the state government would sustain peace in the region through continuous dialogue, improved security surveillance, and ongoing humanitarian assistance.
