The Ebonyi State government has condemned the alleged violent attacks, intimidation, attempted murder, gang-raping of Christian girls, and the destruction of church buildings in Akaeze community in Ivo local government area of the state by suspected members of Ekpe cult group.
The state commissioner for Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Deacon Obinna Nwachukwu who disclosed government’s position on the incident, regretted that while Governor Dave Umahi and the state commissioner of police, CP, Peace Ibekwe Abdallah, are making frantic efforts to curb cultism in schools and communities, highly placed political office holders and stakeholders in Akaeze community are still indulging in cult activities.
Deacon Nwachukwu who frowned at the recent blocking of the convoy of the state commissioner of police during her tour to police divisions in the area by members of the cult group during one of its activities, described as barbaric the sexual abuse, physical assaults, banning of Christian activities and other inhuman treatment meted on non-members of the cult group in the community.
Christians in Akaeze and members of the Ekpe cult group have been on war part for over 10 years following forceful initiation, destruction of Assemblies of God church building and that of Anglican church by members of the cult group, who claimed that the churches conducted prayer sessions during the period they placed a ban on all church activities in the community.
The state government in its bid to resolve the lingering crisis held a meeting with the Akaeze Christian Brethren Association (ACBA) and members of the Ekpe Cult group and set up a 10 man committee to draw up positions on how best the two groups can co-exist in the community without further molestation and harassment of Christians.
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