Ebonyi State Government has granted amnesty to 159 pre-trial detainees connected to the Effium and Ezza Effium crisis, as part of ongoing efforts to heal the wounds of the violent conflict.
The announcement was made by Governor David Umahi on February 11, 2025. He highlighted the importance of justice tempered with mercy. “Today’s decision to grant amnesty is rooted in the principles of justice tempered with mercy. It is a recognition that while the law must be upheld, there is also room for forgiveness and the opportunity for redemption,” Umahi said in his address to the people of Ebonyi.
The crisis between Effium and Ezza Effium, which has caused immense pain, loss, and division, is considered a dark chapter in the state’s history. Governor Umahi expressed his commitment to putting an end to the violence, stressing that amnesty represents a step toward healing, not just for the detainees but for the entire state.
“We are determined to close this chapter, not with bitterness, but with compassion, justice, and a firm commitment to lasting peace,” he said.
In support of this move, the government has enacted recommendations made by a Seven-Man Committee, led by the Catholic Bishop Emeritus of Abakaliki Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Michael N. Okoro. The committee identified the need for disarmament, rehabilitation, and reintegration of individuals affected by the crisis, leading to the decision to grant amnesty.
Governor Umahi also emphasized that while the detainees are receiving amnesty, they are not being exonerated from accountability. “They are being given a second chance to contribute positively to their communities and to the state at large,” he noted. The amnesty is conditional upon their commitment to peace, the renouncement of violence, and participation in rehabilitation programs.
The governor further announced a series of measures aimed at ensuring lasting peace, including the demarcation of boundaries between Effium and Ezza Effium, the acquisition of Effium market, and the protection of the Effium forest reserve.
As part of the peace effort, both Effium and Ezza Effium communities have signed an undertaking to ensure that there will be no relapse into violence following the release of the detainees.
“This amnesty is not a reward for wrongdoing; it is a strategic step toward achieving lasting peace and stability in Effium, Ezza Effium, and across Ebonyi State,” Governor Umahi concluded.
For the families who have lost loved ones and for those displaced by the violence, the governor offered heartfelt condolences, reaffirming that the pain of the people is shared by the entire state. “Your pain is our pain, and your hope is our hope,” he said.
The move is seen as a beacon of hope for a peaceful and prosperous future for the people of Ebonyi State, setting a positive precedent for peace-building in the region.
In closing, Governor Umahi urged the 159 detainees to embrace the opportunity for a fresh start, urging them to turn a new leaf. “Seize this opportunity to rewrite your story—a story of peace, productivity, and positive contribution to society.”