Abia Inaugurates Committee To Implement Okon Aku-Ohafia White Paper

The Abia State Government has inaugurated an Implementation Committee to supervise the execution of the Government White Paper on the Okon Aku-Ohafia disaster, as a part of efforts to revive lasting peace and stability locally.

The committee was inaugurated on Thursday, November, by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Uzor Nwachukwu, who additionally chairs the committee.

Addressing members after the inauguration, Dr. Nwachukwu recalled that the disaster, which occurred on January 2 and three, 2026, resulted within the alleged killing of 1 particular person, the bombing of homes and the displacement of residents from the group.

He defined that Governor Alex Otti’s administration promptly intervened by safety businesses to revive order and subsequently constituted an Administrative Panel of Inquiry, which investigated the incident over a number of months earlier than submitting its report.

“The state government carefully examined the panel’s findings and issued a White Paper containing specific directives aimed at resolving the issues and achieving sustainable peace,” the commissioner stated.

He famous that the federal government recognized related ministries and safety businesses to drive the implementation course of, with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs serving because the lead ministry.

Other members of the committee embrace the Ministry of Justice, represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice; Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Lands; Mayor of Ohafia Local Government Area; Special Adviser to the Governor on Security; Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command; General Manager, State Homeland Security Agency; State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS); and State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

He acknowledged that the committee would coordinate the implementation of the White Paper, monitor compliance, collaborate with safety businesses and make suggestions to the state authorities on additional measures, whereas submitting periodic reviews to the Governor by the Secretary to the State Government.

“Upon inauguration today, 5th day of November 2026, the government through White Paper directs that we must submit our reports within 30 days.

“What it means is that by 4th of December, the report of this committee will have been submitted to the Governor through the SSG,”Nwachukwu stated.

He disclosed that copies of the White Paper can be distributed to all committee members and related ministries and businesses for correct examine forward of the committee’s first assembly, scheduled to carry nearly on Monday at 7pm.

The Commissioner additional revealed that authorities would set up a broader Peace, Reconciliation and Stabilisation Committee comprising conventional rulers, youth representatives from Okon Aku and the broader Ohafia group, in addition to non secular leaders, to strengthen reconciliation and guarantee lasting peace.

Identifying a disputed farmland in Okon Aku-Ohafia as one of many main points behind the disaster, Dr. Nwachukwu directed the Ministry of Lands and the Mayor of Ohafia to make obtainable all related paperwork regarding the property’s authorized standing, possession and transactions.

“One of the major issues in the centre of this crisis is a rail farm in Okon Aku-Ohafia. We’ve been directed to find out the legal status of that farm.

“Before the end of next week, we must conclude action on that property as directed by White Paper, working with all security agencies,” he acknowledged.

In his remarks, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ikechukwu Uwanna, described the project as greater than a proper inauguration, stressing that the committee had a duty to translate authorities selections and suggestions into concrete and measurable outcomes.

Uwanna, who was represented by Mrs. Becky Ikechi, charged members to discharge their duties with utmost duty, equity, impartiality and respect for the rule of regulation.

“We must not allow personal interests, sentiments, ethnic or cultural considerations to influence our decision. White Paper should serve as a guiding document.

“Our responsibility is to ensure recommendations are implemented in letter and spirit without unnecessary alteration or selective application,” he stated.

He careworn that the implementation course of should uphold the rights of all events concerned, respect conventional establishments and customary practices, and function inside the provisions of current legal guidelines.

According to him, lasting peace goes past the absence of violence and have to be based on justice, mutual respect, accountability and reconciliation.

The Attorney General reaffirmed the Ministry of Justice’s dedication to making sure that the method remained guided by regulation, justice and equity, whereas interesting to stakeholders and residents of Okon Aku-Ohafia to cooperate with the committee and keep peace.

The state authorities maintained that the intervention needs to be considered a chance to resolve the unlucky scenario in a dignified and sustainable method.

In a vote of thanks, the Mayor of Ohafia Local Government Area, Chief Eleanya Ojuu Kalu, expressed delight over the inauguration, noting that the disaster affected group falls inside his jurisdiction.

He appreciated members of the committee for accepting the duty and guaranteed them of his readiness to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to make sure the profitable execution of the project.