By PETER OKUTU
ABAKALIKI—House of Representatives is to summon traditional rulers, politicians, youth leaders and other stakeholders of warring Ezza and Ezillo communities of Ebonyi State over recent massacre of over 200 people and destruction of properties worth millions of Naira.

They are to be questioned over their roles in the tribal war between both communities, which had defied interventionist efforts.

Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Public Safety and National Security, Dr. Eddy Mbadiwe, who dropped this hint after leading other committee members on inspection of both communities, said the invitation was necessary because it would give the people liberty to air their views on the crisis.

According to him, this may ultimately lead to an insight into certain grey areas necessary for the resolution of the crisis.

He pointed out that the motive behind the invitation was not to intimidate or arrest any member of the community.

Mbadiwe enjoined the people to feel free to honour the invitation as modalities had been put in place to ensure that every detail submitted to it was treated with utmost confidentiality and relevance, stressing that the Federal Government was not going to fold its arms and watch Nigerians fall victims to the nefarious activities of hoodlums.

He stated that the committee’s investigation would focus on the nitty-gritty that led to the demise of innocent Ebonyi people, including a Director, Office of the Presidency (names withheld) who was killed along Enugu-Abakaliki expressway during the crisis

He said:  “We are here for peace; this is not police invitation but our invitation. The National Assembly is genuinely concerned about the peace of the nation.

“If one state is engulfed in crisis, the country is affected, whether it is militancy in the south or Boko Haram in the north. It affects everybody, whether you like it or not.

“We have heard the government side of the matter. This matter didn’t start today but we believe that the matter can be resolved with good will from both sides. The Federal Government should come into the matter. The wounds from both sides are deeply rooted,” he said.

“Nobody can influence us. Money cannot buy us. We are not boasting. We self sufficient. We believe this matter can be resolved,” he said.

Some of the persons killed

“You must give the government the benefit of the doubt. They are sincere. Let all the fighting’s stop so that we can find a solution to the crisis.”