By Anayo Okoli

UMUAHIA—PEACE has finally returned to Umudike, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, after 11 years of fierce inter-community crisis.

The crisis erupted in 2003, following the creation of Umudike-Ukwu autonomous community out of the present Umudike, by the state government.

Series of litigations followed, which favoured the new autonomous community.

However, the crisis was resolved Monday, following the formal admission of the maiden traditional ruler of the new Umudike-Ukwu, Eze Ben Oriaku, into the Ikwuano Council of Traditional Rulers.

Oriaku, who hosted all the traditional rulers in Ikwuano Local Government Area, including that of Umudike, Eze Onyekwe Anyaegbu, expressed joy over the resolution of the crisis.

Addressing the gathering, Chairman of the council, Eze Godwin Chionye, urged the traditional rulers of the two-sister communities to bury the hatchet and join hands to move their communities forward.

Describing the two communities as one, Eze Chionye urged them to initiate actions and measures that would promote peace, unity, understanding and cooperation among their subjects.

Responding, Eze Oriaku said he had already initiated peace moves with the Umudike community by visiting the traditional ruler, Eze Anyaegbu, who he referred to as his “father” and “business associate.”