Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, has urged all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the state taking refuge in Ebonyi State to return home.
Communal clashes between Egbor people and Urugabm in Biase LGA of Cross River and their neighbours in Ekoli Edda community in the Afikpo South since April 2018 have claimed scores of lives and property.
Ayade begged for their return on Monday at Nguzu Edda in Afikpo South local government area of Ebonyi on a visit to IDP camps at various locations in Edda.
He was represented by the Paramount Ruler from Biase local government area of Cross River, Nicholas Odum.
“We want to assure you that peace has returned and that our efforts will not be in vain for you to come and live in peace in your homes.
“We have made every arrangement for you to return and whatever you tell us here, I will personally make sure I relay to the Governor. So, we ask you to be calm and be lawful in this move; as we assure you we will not let you down,” he said.
The governor also thanked the chairman of Afikpo South LGA, Eni-Uduma Chima, and the people of Ekoli Edda for their magnanimity to the IDPs.
Chima said efforts would be made to ensure the return of the IDPs to their homes.
